Abstract
Póvoa de Varzim, NW Portugal is situated on a wide Quaternary abrasion platform cut in granitic rocks with some Holocene lagoonal and marine deposits lying on its surface. The area is characterized by pocket shaped beaches, tombolos and granitic headlands. The net drift on this coast is from north to south but the numerous rocky headlands have produced wave diffraction patterns which generated circulation cells. In 1927 a port was constructed with breakwaters built to protect the harbour against NW waves (the most frequent) and W-SW waves (related to storm events). After the breakwaters were built, downdrift erosion occurred south of the harbour. The volume of sediment lost and the changed dynamics of the area are outlined. Some alternatives to minimize the negative effects produced by the harbour, such as artificial beach nourishment and the development of natural tombolos are proposed.
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