Rhythmic coastal features encompass a wide range of forms, covering considerable variations in size, morphology, and situation. The nomenclature adopted for shoreline forms includes beach cusps, having curvature concave to the sea; protuberances (sand waves, shoreline rhythms, giant cusps, nesses) (Dolan and Ferm, 1968); and cuspate spits resulting from lagoon sedimentation. Submerged rhythmic coastal forms are classified as crescentic bars, having curvature convex to the sea; multiple bars that are straight and parallel to the coast; and transverse bars (finger bars) that can be straight, at an angle, or transverse to the coast.
Characteristics and Processes
Beach Cusps
Beach cusps are the smallest rhythmic cuspate feature. They form in a variety of materials from coarse shingle to fine sand, but are usually best developed and most common on coarse beaches, often occurring on mixed sand and shingle beaches. The coarser material forms the horns, pointing seaward, while the finer...
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© 1982 Hutchinson Ross Publishing Company
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King, C.A.M. (1982). Rhythmic cuspate forms . In: Beaches and Coastal Geology. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30843-1_368
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30843-1_368
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