Geomorphology of the Coastal Sand Dune Fields and Their Association with the Palaeolandscape Evolution of Akrotiri Peninsula, Lemesos, Cyprus

Miltiadis Polidorou,Niki Evelpidou

doi:10.3390/geosciences11110448

Abstract

Two well-developed late Pleistocene dune fields have been identified on the western and eastern side of Akrotiri promontory (Lemesos, Cyprus). The dune fields extend immediately from the low level of their source beaches onto higher ground (>48 m amsl). Geomorphic observations supported by OSL dating and sedimentological data provided evidence of the dune development and for the palaeogeographic reconstruction of the area. Relative sea level changes and wave action during the upper Pleistocene and Holocene played an important role into the development of the palaeolandscape and affected the formation of the dunes. From the collected data the development of the western dune field started at 56.2 ± 5.5 ka when the relative sea level was at approximately −60 m and contributed to the development of the western tombolo of the area whereas the eastern dune field developed in the late Holocene, after the formation of the eastern spit that resulted in the formation of the Akrotiri Salt lake.

Highlights

Dune systems are important geomorphological features found along a significant part of the world’s coastline
The aim of this study is to investigate the dunes of the southern coast of Cyprus and to evaluate the usability of sand dune systems as a tool for the palaeogeographic reconstruction of similar settings in the area of the Eastern Mediterranean
The western dune fields are extending for approximately 6 km and 1.6 km inland (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Dune systems are important geomorphological features found along a significant part of the world’s coastline. An interaction of natural factors such as sediment supply, flat topography, strong sand-moving winds and vegetation cover are responsible for the accumulation and formation of sand dunes [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. Storms and sea level fluctuations can impact dune system development and mobility, through changes in sediment supply and vegetation [9,10]. Sediment supply from the coast is the source for the formation and growth of coastal sand dunes [11]. Change in sediment supply can modify dune mobility. High sand supply can bury vegetation, resulting in drifting sand and mobile sand dunes, while low sand input can encourage vegetation survival, leading to an increase in dune stability [12]

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Conclusion