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Bars

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Encyclopedia of Coastal Science

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

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Sedimentary ridges, both symmetric and asymmetric, and generally larger than bedforms that characterize the upper shoreface of coastal zones dominated by waves are called wave-formed bars. They were recognized as early as 1845 on the marine coasts of Europe (Elie de Beaumont), by 1851 in the Great Lakes of North America (Desor), and subsequently on marine and lacustrine coasts worldwide (see Schwartz, 1982, pp. 135–139). However, confusion still surrounds this term because of its use for ridges with a wide range of size, morphology, location, and orientation relative to the shoreline. Also, the term bar has been used in a variety of environments, from subaerial to those dominated by tidal currents or river currents. Furthermore, the present understanding of the origin(s) and dynamics of wave-formed bars is still incomplete.

Shepard (1950) called shore-parallel ridges and troughs longshore bars and troughs, equating them with the terms ball and low of Evans (1940), and associated them...

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Cross-references

  1. Beach Features

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  2. Beach Processes

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  3. Net Transport

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  4. Profiling, Beach

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  5. Rhythmic Patterns

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  6. Surf Zone Processes

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  7. Wave-Current Interaction

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Authors
  1. Brian Greenwood
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, USA

    Maurice L. Schwartz

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Greenwood, B. (2005). Bars. In: Schwartz, M.L. (eds) Encyclopedia of Coastal Science. Encyclopedia of Earth Science Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3880-1_28

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