Publication Abstracts

Fairbridge 2004

Fairbridge, R., 2004: Classification of coasts. J. Coast. Res., 20, 155-165.

The simplest description of a given coast requires a minimum of three terms, embracing the following: (1) material (hard/soft; soluble or otherwise); (2) agencies (erosive/constructive; physical, chemical, biological, and geographic setting [latitude, exposure, fetch]), and (3) historical factors (time scale: geotectonic, glacioisostatic, eustatic, steric, anthropic). Deductive reasoning based on instrumental data such as tide gauges frequently lead to misleading conclusions, in that most are located in the northern hemisphere (land-dominated), near river mouths (variable runoff), sediment compaction, crustal lowering, coriolis effect of geostrophic current variation, and excessively short data spans (< 100 yr). Climatic oscillation influences sea level on all scales from ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) and NAO (North Atlantic Oscillation) up to 1500 yr or more. Satellite observations furnish only the briefest "snap-shots."

Classifications based on perceived "relative" relationships such as submergence or emergence are useful as generalizations, but only when provided with the time scale. Similar constraints apply to subsidence and uplift, and always subject to the three fundamental criteria.

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BibTeX Citation

@article{fa05000n,
  author={Fairbridge, R.},
  title={Classification of coasts},
  year={2004},
  journal={Journal of Coastal Research},
  volume={20},
  pages={155--165},
}

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RIS Citation

TY  - JOUR
ID  - fa05000n
AU  - Fairbridge, R.
PY  - 2004
TI  - Classification of coasts
JA  - J. Coast. Res.
JO  - Journal of Coastal Research
VL  - 20
SP  - 155
EP  - 165
ER  -

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