Coast Parallel Research Articles

Signatures of late Quaternary land-sea interactions and landform dynamics along southern Kerala coast, SW India

The Kerala coast displays a spectrum of varied geomorphic features that are evolved as a function of Late Quaternary land-sea interaction. The southern Kerala coast, south of Achankovil Shear Zone (ASZ) has been characterised by cliffed coast with entrenched estuarine basins, pocket beaches, promontories, older and younger strand plains, etc., that are evolved as a result of the transgressive-regressive phases to which the coast has been subjected during the late Quaternary Period. In spite of having varied geomorphic features, lacuna in comprehending the evolutionary phases of the coastal landform features is the primary impediment that bolstered us to unravel the Late Quaternary land-sea interactions and landform changes of the coast between Thottapally and Vizhinjam. Moreover, the last two centuries are known to have been witnessing many natural as well as human induced environmental perturbations in the area.The present study attempts to reconstruct the late Quaternary landform dynamics based on the satellite data while the last century changes were extracted from the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). The evidences based on geomorphic variations suggest that the present study area hosts two distinct paleo-coastlines – 1) coincides with the eastern boundary of the older strand plains (accreted during Late Pleistocene) and, 2) marks the boundary between older and younger strand plains (accreted during Early–Middle Holocene). A sector-wise analysis reveals that the northern half of the study area is characterised by many coast perpendicular estuarine basins with well-developed Bay Head Deltas in its fluvial end, and Flood Tide Islands near the estuarine mouth. On the contrary, the southern half is characterised by pocket beaches and coast parallel backwater bodies developed during the regressive phases of the sea. A high-resolution study of the shoreline changes during the period, 1920–2018 reveals that the younger strandlines are vulnerable to severe coastal erosion and shoreline retreat at many places compared to coastal accretion. The study stresses the imminent need for continuous monitoring and implementation of site-specific mitigation measures for the conservation and management of this coast known for its outstanding natural beauty and strategic beach placer deposits.

Characterisation and tectonic implications of the Early Cretaceous, Skeleton Coast Dyke Swarm, NW Namibia

The Early Cretaceous, Skeleton Coast Dyke Swarm (SCDS) was intruded into Permo-Carboniferous sediments of the Karoo Supergroup, Pan-African granites, Neoproterozoic metasediments, and Archean to Mesoproterozoic gneisses of the Kaoko Belt, NW Namibia. Aeromagnetic data and satellite imagery has been used to map the distribution of the generally coast parallel mafic dykes along with a significant number of dykes that cut across Pan-African structures of the Kaoko Belt. Dykes of the SCDS were mapped for some 500 km along the Skeleton Coast of NW Namibia and up to 200 km inland, and with a likely continuation into Angola. The geochemistry and published geochronological data suggest that the majority of the dykes are related to the Etendeka volcanics. These volcanics, together with the basalt and rhyolite lava flows and associated mafic dyke swarms of S-SE Brazil, form the Parana-Etendeka magmatic province of Early Cretaceous age. Geochemical analysis of 26 dykes show that the majority of the dykes are Low-TiO2 quartz tholeiites of two types: 1) qtz-tholeiites enriched in LREE [(La/Yb)N - 3.43 to 6.46]; & 2) qtz-tholeiites with REE patterns similar to E-MORB [(La/Yb)N

Analysis of Solar Irradiation Time Series Complexity and Predictability by Combining Kolmogorov Measures and Hamming Distance for La Reunion (France).

Analysis of daily solar irradiation variability and predictability in space and time is important for energy resources planning, development, and management. The natural variability of solar irradiation is being complicated by atmospheric conditions (in particular cloudiness) and orography, which introduce additional complexity into the phenomenological records. To address this question for daily solar irradiation data recorded during the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 at 11 stations measuring solar irradiance on La Reunion French tropical Indian Ocean Island, we use a set of novel quantitative tools: Kolmogorov complexity (KC) with its derivative associated measures and Hamming distance (HAM) and their combination to assess complexity and corresponding predictability. We find that all half-day (from sunrise to sunset) solar irradiation series exhibit high complexity. However, all of them can be classified into three groups strongly influenced by trade winds that circulate in a “flow around” regime: the windward side (trade winds slow down), the leeward side (diurnal thermally-induced circulations dominate) and the coast parallel to trade winds (winds are accelerated due to Venturi effect). We introduce Kolmogorov time (KT) that quantifies the time span beyond which randomness significantly influences predictability.

Slow Long-Term Exhumation of the West Central Andean Plate Boundary, Chile.

We present a regional analysis of new low‐temperature thermochronometer ages from the Central Andean fore arc to provide insights into the exhumation history of the western Andean margin. To derive exhumation rates over 10 million‐year timescales, 38 new apatite and zircon (U‐Th)/He ages were analyzed along six ~500‐km long near‐equal‐elevation, coast parallel, transects in the Coastal Cordillera (CC) and higher‐elevation Precordillera (PC) of the northern Chilean Andes between latitudes 18.5°S and 22.5°S. These transects were augmented with age‐elevation profiles where possible. Results are synthesized with previously published thermochronometric data, corroborating a previously observed trenchward increase in cooling ages in Peru and northern Chile. One‐dimensional thermal‐kinematic modeling of all available multichronometer equal‐elevation samples reveals mean exhumation rates of <0.2 km/Myr since ~50 Ma in the PC and ~100 Ma in the CC. Regression of pseudovertical age‐elevation transects in the CC yields comparable rates of ~0.05 to ~0.12 km/Myr between ~40 and 80 Ma. Differences between the long‐term mean 1‐D rates and shorter‐term age‐elevation‐derived rates indicate low variability in the exhumation history. Modeling results suggest similar background exhumation rates in the CC and PC; younger ages in the PC are largely a function of increased heat flow and consequently an elevated geothermal gradient near the arc. Slow exhumation rates are suggestive of semiarid conditions across the region since at least the Eocene and deformation and development of the Andean fore arc around this time.

Seasonal Variability of Wind Sea and Swell Waves Climate along the Canary Current: The Local Wind Effect

A climatology of wind sea and swell waves along the Canary eastern boundary current area, from west Iberia to Mauritania, is presented. The study is based on the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis ERA-Interim. The wind regime along the Canary Current, along west Iberia and north-west Africa, varies significantly from winter to summer. High summer wind speeds generate high wind sea waves, particularly along the coasts of Morocco and Western Sahara. Lower winter wind speeds, along with stronger extratropical storms crossing the North Atlantic sub-basin up north lead to a predominance of swell waves in the area during from December to February. In summer, the coast parallel wind interacts with the coastal headlands, increasing the wind speed and the locally generated waves. The spatial patterns of the wind sea or swell regional wave fields are shown to be different from the open ocean, due to coastal geometry, fetch dimensions, and island sheltering.

Composition and cross-shelf distribution of ichthyoplankton in the Tropical Southwestern Atlantic

The spatial distribution, abundance, and composition of ichthyoplankton are key ecological features for the conservation of biodiversity and sustainability of fisheries. Despite their importance, knowledge about these features in the equatorial waters of the planet is still scarce. The aim of this study was to assess these features in the Tropical Southwestern Atlantic (northeastern Brazil). Two oceanographic cruises were carried out (2010) on the continental shelf. The collections were performed at 54 stations distributed in three coast parallel profiles covering a wide geographical area (20,100km2). A total of 3723 fish larvae and 3829 fish eggs were sampled. Larval identification resulted in 15 taxa belonging to 13 families. Eggs of family Engraulidae were the most abundant and represented 40.8% of the total eggs. The largest concentration of fish larvae and eggs was found on the outer shelf, because of the mixture of coastal and oceanic species. On the continental shelf, the abundance of fish larvae was higher near the marine protected area, mesophotic reefs and large tropical mangrove ecosystems. The present results provide a baseline assessment of a poorly studied region of the planet along a coast with high turbidity, and sea surface temperatures. Moreover, the results highlight the need for rigorous monitoring to detect shifts in diversity and abundance of ichthyoplankton on a continental shelf with a large number of rich tropical ecosystems.

Geodinámica de los márgenes conjugados del Atlántico Sur central: implicaciones para el potencial de hidrocarburos

Using a new margin restoration model for the central South Atlantic we highlight margin-opposed rift basin subsidence characteristics, reconcile important facies relationships and consider the associated processes responsible for contrasting basinward transitions to oceanic crust. We interpret these parameters as diagnostic of strain evolution during rifting. Pre-salt subsidence patterns and sequence isopachs of late syn-rift and early post-rift sequences are symptomatic of these complex extension behaviours. Inherited basement fault trends partition extensional strain during stretching with resultant rift-related structural styles recording the heterogeneity of the pre-rift crust. Correspondingly the seismic and gravity expression of the transition from continental crust to oceanic crust differs systematically along the length of the ‘conjugate’ basins. The presence of a conspicuous coast parallel positive linear gravity anomaly, referred to as the ‘terminal horst’, defines the basinward extent of attenuated continental crust in the more symmetrical Campos Basin and its interpreted conjugate. In the ‘asymmetrical’ Santos and Benguela Basins the ocean–continent transition at the present-day OCB (ocean–continent boundary) becomes equivocal with little gravity expression. Consequently the relationship of primary salt basin edges to the basinward extent of crustal extension appears more complex. Pre-existing crustal and lithospheric mantle scale heterogeneities are considered to impart a first-order control on whole crust deformation and ultimately ‘sag’ basin development. These structurally defined heterogeneities are believed to partition crustal strain and juxtapose endmember mechanisms of pure-shear and simple shear deformation styles as recorded by the complex distribution of syn-rift subsidence patterns within the pre-salt basins of the central South Atlantic. These conclusions challenge the necessity for invoking dominantly depth-dependent processes as a mechanism to explain apparent pre-salt, syn-rift subsidence anomalies. The complex interplay of structure and stratigraphy with an overlay of palaeoclimatic models provides important insights into hydrocarbon play fairways along the margin. In particular the impact on reservoir and source rock distribution and heat flow are discussed.

Integrated Approach to Sand Management in Mature-Field Operations

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 174180, “Integrated Approach to Sand Management in Mature-Field Operations,” by M. Ruslan and P.Y. Lee, Dong Energy, prepared for the 2015 SPE European Formation Damage Conference, Budapest, Hungary, 3–5 June. The paper has not been peer reviewed. An integrated approach to sand management is crucial to address sanding risk in producers and injectors in a North Sea mature field. The concept incorporates the Lean Six Sigma approach and is developed with a major focus on the rehabilitation of mature fields, where each barrel of oil counts and uncertainty (both technical and economical) is an increasing challenge. High decline in productivity and increased operational challenges are common issues for mature fields. Introduction The Siri asset comprises a series of marginal mature fields. They are located 220 km from the coast parallel to the northwestern edge of the Danish sector of the North Sea, with average water depth of 60 m. The relatively weak cemented fine- to very-fine-grained Paleogene sandstones from the Siri Canyon in the Danish North Sea are characterized by high content of glauconite, occasionally greater than 30%. The high glauconite content is a result of the sand being stored at the sediment-starved Stavanger platform before being shed into the North Sea by density and mass flows. After deposition, controlled by seafloor topography and pre-existing gullies, the sands experience remobilization in various degrees. The reservoir quality is generally good, with high porosities and high permeability. The asset is currently under waterflooding secondary recovery, with the main objective being pressure support and displacement efficiency in respective parts of the reservoir. Multiple enhanced-oil-recovery projects are ongoing or under evaluation, such as simultaneous water and gas injection and huff ’n’ puff gas injection.

Physical Model Studies on Stability of Geotextile sand Containers

Coast parallel submerged breakwaters made of Geotextile Sand Containers (GSCs) are increasingly being incorporated into coastal management solutions because of their cost effective and environmentally friendly characteristics. These reduce the wave action on the lee side by forcing wave breaking and their stability is a function of the relative crest width, crest height, and the damage. The present work involves a physical model study on 1V:2H sloped trapezoidal submerged reefs constructed with 485 gm GSCs with different alignments like Perpendicular, Parallel, and Flemish. They have a height (h) of 0.25 m and varying crest widths (B) and are tested for stability for wave heights (H) of 0.1 m and 0.12 m and wave periods (T) of 1.5 s to 2.5 s in a water depth (d) of 0.3 m.

Depositional behaviour of C-org, N, P and K in the surface sediments of two shallow water bodies in a tropical coast, India

The present paper deals with the distribution of sediment and sediment-bound nutrients in two important coastal lagoons of southern Kerala such as the Ashtamudi Estuarine Lagoon in the Kollam district and the Kadinamkulam Lagoon in the Thiruvananthapuram district. Among the two lagoons, the former is coast perpendicular, and the latter is coast parallel. An analysis of the textural characteristics reveals that, in both lagoons, the estuarine mouth and areas close to it are dominated by sand and sand-rich sediment species, indicating a high-energy depositional regime prevailing the region. On the other hand, the silt and clay dominant arms are almost sheltered and enjoy a low-energy depositional environment. The nutrient and organic carbon contents in the sheltered areas are significantly higher than the most dynamic high-energy estuarine mouth regions. This peculiar behaviour of these coastal water bodies has to be given adequate importance while laying down strategies for the conservation and management of these fragile aquatic systems in the south-western coast of India in particular and tropical coasts of the world in general.

Interpretation of new regional aeromagnetic data over Dronning Maud Land (East Antarctica)

The geology of Dronning Maud Land (East Antarctica) is so far deduced from isolated outcrops along the coast and from a major coast parallel escarpment surmounting the thick ice sheet. Large parts of Dronning Maud Land are, however, hidden underneath thick ice. In this study we attempt to connect geological information with aeromagnetic data in order to unveil the sub-glacial geology of this part of East Antarctica. During four austral summer campaigns (2001–2005) in Dronning Maud Land, new aeromagnetic data were gathered across an area of 1.2million square kilometers of which a portion of 65% was previously unexplored. In total 100,000 line kilometers were flown over Dronning Maud Land between 14°W/20° E and 70°S/78.5°S. A striking result was the discovery of a pronounced magnetic anomaly, named here Forster Magnetic Anomaly, east of the Jutulstraumen. It starts at approximately 72°S/007°E and strikes in southwesterly direction as far south as 75°S/1°W. The Forster Magnetic Anomaly likely forms a major tectonic block boundary and/or a suture zone within the East African–Antarctic Orogen (EAAO). The shape and distribution of other magnetic anomalies are discussed in the context of the Proterozoic to Mesozoic geological history of this part of Antarctica.

Geodynamics of the central South Atlantic conjugate margins: implications for hydrocarbon potential

Using a new margin restoration model for the central South Atlantic we highlight margin-opposed rift basin subsidence characteristics, reconcile important facies relationships and consider the associated processes responsible for contrasting basinward transitions to oceanic crust. We interpret these parameters as diagnostic of strain evolution during rifting. Pre-salt subsidence patterns and sequence isopachs of late syn-rift and early post-rift sequences are symptomatic of these complex extension behaviours. Inherited basement fault trends partition extensional strain during stretching with resultant rift-related structural styles recording the heterogeneity of the pre-rift crust. Correspondingly the seismic and gravity expression of the transition from continental crust to oceanic crust differs systematically along the length of the 'conjugate' basins. The presence of a conspicuous coast parallel positive linear gravity anomaly, referred to as the 'terminal horst', defines the basinward extent of attenuated continental crust in the more symmetrical Campos Basin and its interpreted conjugate. In the 'asymmetrical' Santos and Benguela Basins the ocean-continent transition at the present-day OCB (ocean-continent boundary) becomes equivocal with little gravity expression. Consequently the relationship of primary salt basin edges to the basinward extent of crustal extension appears more complex. Pre-existing crustal and lithospheric mantle scale heterogeneities are considered to impart a first-order control on whole crust deformation and ultimately 'sag' basin development. These structurally defined heterogeneities are believed to partition crustal strain and juxtapose end-member mechanisms of pure-shear and simple shear deformation styles as recorded by the complex distribution of syn-rift subsidence patterns within the pre-salt basins of the central South Atlantic. These conclusions challenge the necessity for invoking dominantly depth-dependent processes as a mechanism to explain apparent pre-salt, syn-rift subsidence anomalies. The complex interplay of structure and stratigraphy with an overlay of palaeoclimatic models provides important insights into hydrocarbon play fairways along the margin. In particular the impact on reservoir and source rock distribution and heat flow are discussed.

Land–ocean tectonics (LOTs) and the associated seismic hazard over the Eastern Continental Margin of India (ECMI)

The South Indian (Peninsular) Shield which includes both the Eastern and Western Continental Margins of India is not as stable as it was originally thought of. The importance of intraplate seismicity within this Shield has recently been realized with some devastating earthquakes that occurred during the last few decades. It is also significant to note that most of the Precambrian tectonic lineaments in this Shield are oriented in either a NW–SE or W–E direction, joining the eastern offshore. In contrast, the western margin has an elevated coast, associated with a linear coast parallel escarpment, particularly on the southern side, superimposed by Deccan Trap volcanics on the northern side. The fault reactivation and the associated seismicity are hence more predominant on the east coast. Recent geophysical studies delineated land–ocean tectonics (LOTs) over the eastern margin, in some cases associated with moderate seismicity as a result of the compressional stress acting on the Indian Plate. Though the Eastern Continental Margin of India (ECMI) is considered as a passive margin, coastal seismicity due to the reactivation of the pre-existing tectonic lineaments extending offshore represents a potential natural hazard. In this context, the ECMI appears to be much more vulnerable compared to its counterpart on the west.

Assessment of deep electrical conductivity features of Northern Victoria Land (Antarctica) under other geophysical constraints

The lithospheric and crustal structure of the Victoria Land continental block (Antarctica) has been studied by geological and geophysical surveys. Among them magnetovariational investigations (MV) have been addressed to highlight the deep electrical conductivity patterns which contribute to the understanding of continental rifting and tectonic setting of the region. The hypothetical event map for H linearly polarized perpendicular to the coast indicates a possible broad coast parallel conductivity anomaly zone. Despite the coast effect, this feature could be related to the deep upper mantle thermal anomaly leading to Cenozoic uplift of the Transantarctic Mountains rift flank. However, both the hypothetic event map polarized parallel to the coast and the induction arrows suggest that the area of enhanced conductivity may be confined to the Deep Freeze Range crustal block along the western flank of the Mesozoic Rennick Graben. We also discuss the possible association between increased conductivity over the Southern Cross block and extensive Cenozoic alkaline plutonism.

Three-Dimensional Idealized Simulations of Barrier Jets along the Southeast Coast of Alaska

Abstract Three-dimensional idealized simulations using the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5) down to 6-km grid spacing were performed in order to understand how different ambient conditions (wind speed and direction, stability, and inland cold pool) and terrain characteristics impact barrier jets along the southeastern Alaskan coast. The broad inland terrain of western North America is important in Alaskan jet development, since it rotates the impinging flow cyclonically (more coast parallel) well upstream of the coast, thus favoring more low-level flow blocking while also adding momentum and width to the barrier jet. Near the steep coastal terrain, the largest wind speed enhancement factor (1.9–2.0) in the terrain-parallel direction relative to the ambient onshore-directed wind speed occurs at relatively low Froude numbers (Fr ∼ 0.3–0.4). These low Froude numbers are associated with (10–15 m s−1) ambient wind speeds and wind directions orientated 30°–45° from terrain-parallel. For simulations with an inland cold pool and nearly coast-parallel flow, strong gap outflows develop through the coastal mountain gaps, shifting the largest wind speed enhancement to Fr &amp;lt; 0.2. The widest barrier jets occur with ambient winds oriented nearly terrain-parallel with strong static stability. The gap outflows shift the position of the jet maximum farther offshore from the coast and increase the jet width. The height of the jet maxima is typically located at the top of the shallow gap outflow (∼500 m MSL), but without strong gap outflows, the jet heights are located at the top of the boundary layer, which is higher (lower) for large (small) frictionally induced vertical wind shear and weak (strong) static stability.

Origin of coast-perpendicular extensional faults, western Gulf of Mexico: The relationship between an early-stage ridge and a late-stage fault

An area near Corpus Christi, Texas, comprises two large, coast-parallel, listric-normal growth faults detached on mobilized shale. Like with most large Gulf of Mexico listric-normal (i.e., growth) faults, fault planes dip basinward, accommodate large amounts of extension, and link along strike with other growth faults. Less characteristically, the hanging wall of the growth-fault system comprises an elongate ridge whose strike is coast-perpendicular and, hence, orthogonal to the growth faults. A high-angle, coast-perpendicular normal fault orthogonal to the growth faults nucleates on the roof of the ridge. A model for the concomitant development of coast-parallel and coast-perpendicular ridges and faults is proposed to explain the development of the orthogonal fault. First, the early development of coast-parallel and coast-perpendicular ridges could have been related to convergent thin-skinned shortening, differential loading, or a combination of the two. Second, when large seaward translation occurred, ridges having different orientations evolved differently. Those oriented parallel to the direction of maximum extension (coast perpendicular) were subjected to little or no extension; conditions were thus set for a later nucleation of the orthogonal fault above the coast-perpendicular ridge during a much later stage of extension. In contrast, ridges striking perpendicular to the direction of maximum extension (coast parallel) underwent collapse and acted as nucleation points for coast-parallel growth faulting.

Seismic anisotropy beneath east Greenland revealed by shear wave splitting

Seismic anisotropy was investigated by measuring shear wave splitting at 7 broadband stations in eastern Greenland. Splitting parameters (fast polarization and time delay) were determined for SKS and SKKS phases. Fast polarizations are oriented roughly parallel to the east Greenland coast at 5 stations, while for two they are nearly perpendicular to the coast. The anisotropy at 5 is unrelated to the spreading direction of the North Atlantic or absolute plate motion. The fast polarization direction can be related to tectonic fabric in the Caledonides in the north, suggesting that anisotropy is frozen in the lithosphere, deformed coherently with depth. Another explanation of the coast parallel fast polarization is asthenospheric flow along the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge at the time of opening of the ocean inducing fabric in the thickened lithosphere. The time delays (0.5–1.3 s) do, however, require that fabric to be strong or distributed over a substantial depth range.

STUDY OF COASTAL EROSION ALONG KARNATAKA COAST

ABSTRACT In the recent years, it is quite common that with the onset of monsoon, a lot of hue and cry is raised by the people who are living along the coast line about erosion and damage to property. In order to monitor the actual extent of this problem along the Karnataka coast and to find the causes of erosion, a detailed analysis of the available data and field study of beach profiles were taken up. From the detailed study, it can be concluded that there are significant natural changes that occur in river mouths in Karnataka coast. This assumes serious proportions when these areas are encroached by population. Coastal erosion, if any on Karnataka coast, is due to direct wave action. In certain stretches, there is concentration of wave energy due to refraction and these areas are more vulnerable to erosion. Beaches adjacent to coast parallel rivers are also more vulnerable to erosion due to higher water tables that exist when the rivers flow full in monsoon. Littoral drift and sea level changes do not pose any problems in Karnataka coast.

Neoichnological activities of endobenthic invertebrates in downdrift coastal Ganges delta complex, India: Their significance in trace fossil interpretations and paleoshoreline reconstructions

Neoichnological studies of the downdrift coastal Ganges deltaic region (Ganges Delta Complex) indicate the nature and environmental zonation of the lebensspuren of common endobenthic invertebrates dominated by the brachyuran amphibious crab Family Ocypodidae (Ocypode spp., Ilyaplax pusillus and Uca marionis) and are utilized to interpret analogous trace fossils and paleoshoreline environments. The polycha‐ete Diopatra cuprea, the gastropods Turritella spp., Tele‐scopium telescopium and Cerithidea obtusum, some bivalves and the boring crab Charybdis rostrata also produce diagnostic lebensspuren. The measured ichnoprofiles reveal the development of coast parallel Uca ‐Turritella (backswamps and salt‐marshes; 1 type burrows), Ocypode ‐ Ilyoplax (backshore to foreshore), Charybdis rostrata (foreshore relict woodground; boring structures), polychaete (middle‐lower foreshore; current ‐ oriented agglutinated burrows) and bivalve ‐ gastropod (lower foreshore; trails) ichnozones. Ocypode ‐ Ilyoplax, irrespective of ontogenic stages and sex, produce I, J, U, Y, and multibranched Y ‐ shaped burrows (juvenile ‐ old in backshore versus young ‐ adult in foreshore) in an orderly fashion. Their burrow density and diversity attain a maximum in backshore and upper foreshore respectively. Exceptionally, high burrow populations produce network burrow systems in the backshore. Juvenile pelletal designs (upper foreshore) and general landward burrow inclination are conspicuous. The described lebensspuren, having a wide range of ancient analogues, provide supportive evidence in the identification of lithified crab burrows, paleoshoreline environments and paleosealevel fluctuations.

Idealized Simulations of Atmospheric Coastal Flow along the Central Coast of California

A fully nonlinear, primitive equation hydrostatic numerical model is utilized to study coastal flow along central California, combining a realistic atmospheric model, with a higher-order turbulence closure, with highly simplified background flow. Local terrain and surface forcing of the model are treated realistically, while the synopticscale forcing is constant in time and space. Several different simulations with different background wind directions were performed. The motivation is to isolate the main properties of the local flow dependent on the coastal mesoscale influence only and to facilitate a study of the structure of the coastal atmospheric boundary layer, the mean momentum budget, and the atmospheric forcing on the coastal ocean for simplified quasi-stationary but still typical conditions. The model results feature the expected summertime flow phenomena, even with this simplified forcing. A coastal jet occurs in all simulations, and its diurnal variability is realistically simulated. The coastal topography serves as a barrier, and the low-level coastal flow is essentially coast parallel. Among the conclusions are the following. (i) The boundary layer for a northerly jet is more shallow and more variable than that for a southerly jet. One reason is an interaction between waves generated by the coastal mountains and the boundary layer. A realistic inclusion of the Sierra Nevada is important, even for the nearsurface coastal atmosphere. (ii) The transition from southerly to northerly flow, when changing the background flow direction, is abrupt for a change in the latter from west to northwest and more gradual for a change east to south. (iii) The low-level flow is in general semigeostrophic. The across-coast momentum balance is geostrophic, while the along-coast momentum balance is dominated by vertical stress divergence and the pressure gradient. Local acceleration and spatial variability close to the coast arise as a consequence of the balance among the remaining terms. For southeasterly background flow, the across-coast momentum balance is dominated by the background synoptic-scale and the mesoscale pressure gradients, sometimes canceling the forcing, thus making this case transitional. (iv) Smaller-scale flow transitions arise for some background flow directions, including an early morning jet reversal north of Monterey, California, and a morning-to-noon low-level eddy formation in the Southern Californian Bight. (v) The model turbulence parameterization provides realistic patterns of the atmospheric forcing on the coastal ocean. (vi) Characteristic signals measured in propagating wind reversals related to boundary layer depth and inversion structure here are seen to correspond to different quasi-stationary conditions.