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Morphodynamic Stability of Tidal Inlet-Bay Systems

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Encyclopedia of Coastal Science

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series ((EESS))

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Definition

Sandy tidal inlets and associated back-barrier bays tend to show remarkably stable morphology in spite of sea level rise. This is brought about by morphodynamics which includes the process by which an inlet-bay system achieves a stable equilibrium configuration or form. In general, the relationship between process and form can be described empirically, by analytic modeling and by numerical modeling. The most important feature of morphodynamics is a dynamic feedback between process and form as the form-restoring mechanism. Conditions under which inlet-bay systems achieve and sustain equilibrium configuration due to tide and wave forcing are briefly reviewed following the basic inlet stability model of Escoffier (1940). Several inlet-bay systems in the state of Florida have been selected as case studies.

Introduction

Tidal inlets flanking barrier islands are prominent coastal landforms along extensive sandy stretches of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific coasts of the...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutech Consultants, Inc., Gainesville, FL, USA

    Ashish J. Mehta

  2. Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Ashish J. Mehta

  3. Environmental Lab, US Army Engineering Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS, USA

    Earl J. Hayter

Authors
  1. Ashish J. Mehta
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  2. Earl J. Hayter
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Correspondence to Ashish J. Mehta .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Coastal Education and Research Foundation, Asheville, NC, USA

    Charles W. Finkl

  2. Coastal Education and Research Foundation, Coconut Creek, FL, USA

    Christopher Makowski

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Mehta, A.J., Hayter, E.J. (2019). Morphodynamic Stability of Tidal Inlet-Bay Systems. In: Finkl, C.W., Makowski, C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Coastal Science. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93806-6_385

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