Storm-induced fine-sediment transport, west coast of south Korea

Abstract

Archived data, together with field observations collected between 1980 and 1982 off the west coast of Korea, suggest that the onset of winter monsoon winds in late fall initiates a residual southward flow that potentially carries large volumes of resuspended bottom sediments into the Korea Strait. During the calm conditions of summer, muds are replenished by high river discharges and reform the band of soft material, which characteristically occurs as a series of mudflats near the coast. Thus, these mudflats serve as a temporary storage facility during summer accumulation and as a source during winter erosion.