Definition
Paraglacial coasts are defined as those occurring on or close to glaciated terrain, where glacial erosion features or deposits have a recognizable effect on the nature and evolution of coastal morphology and sediments (Forbes and Syvitski 1994). They thus encompass a range of coastal environments and landforms from proglacial fjord and outwash coast-lines to sand-and gravel-dominated coasts deriving their sediment supply from glacigenic deposits, but where the glacial imprint is older and subdued. Such coastlines also occur in settings where other phenomena such a periglacial and related processes (including permafrost, ground ice, thaw subsidence, sea ice) or human impact (q.v.) may appear to dominate the coastal landscape. Essential features of paraglacial coastlines include a sediment source or physiographic setting in which the glacial origin exerts a continuing influence on the form and evolution of the coast.
Geographic Extent
The geographic range of paraglacial coasts...
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Forbes, D.L. (2018). Paraglacial Coasts. In: Finkl, C., Makowski, C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Coastal Science . Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48657-4_241-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48657-4_241-2
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