MORPHODYNAMIC MOBILITY OF INTERTIDAL BARS ON A MACROTIDAL ‘RIDGE AND RUNNEL’ BEACH, DUNKERQUE-EST, COTE D’OPALE, NORTHERN FRANCE

摘要

Dunkerque-Est beach, in northern France, is a typical example of a beach with barred intertidal topography in a macrotidal environment. Data synthesized from several field experimental measurements (Reichmüth, 2003) were used to characterize the short-term morphodynamic behaviour of this beach. Topographic surveys show small adjustments of the topography around mean sea level (MSL) and more significant morphological change on the upper beach. Morphologic changes are induced by waves variably modulated by tidal excursion rates, by mean tide-dominated currents, and by wind forcing. However, the morphology shows some resistance due to selfstabilisation and a long morphological relaxation time.