Barrier island evolution in response to sea level rise: a discussion. Article

Leatherman, SP. (1983). Barrier island evolution in response to sea level rise: a discussion. . 53(3), 1026-1031. 10.1306/212F8314-2B24-11D7-8648000102C1865D

cited authors

  • Leatherman, SP

authors

abstract

  • During sea-level rise, barrier islands are forced landward with shoreface retreat. While retreat rate is dependent upon the balance between sediment supply and sea-level change, continuous migration, probably intermittent at times, as opposed to barrier overstepping, is clearly favored for low coastal plain barriers. Barrier drowning and subsequent surf-zone skipping are theoretically possible, but evidence to date from the New York shelf is not convincing. Barrier islands along the US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts can be expected to migrate continuously landward with sea-level rise. Exhumation of pre-Holocene or partially consolidated sediments on the shelf surface with transgression can minimize but not prohibit barrier retreat. -Author

publication date

  • January 1, 1983

start page

  • 1026

end page

  • 1031

volume

  • 53

issue

  • 3