PHYSICAL WORLD ESCI 243  -  NICHOLS COLLEGE ONLINE COURSE

Professor Mauri S. Pelto, 508-213-2168 peltoms@nichols.edu   

Which beaches are in equilibrium if not why not?

To be in equilibrium a beach must have dunes, be able to migrate inland by wave overwash, have no abrupt slope changes and have no interruptions in longshore transport.  Beaches lacking dunes, having abrupt slopes changes, barriers or development preventing longshore transport or wave overwash are not in equilibrium.  Longshore transport direction is determined by sand being carried along the shore and deposited against a  barrier or at the end of a spit.  The spit would point in direction of transport.  A barrier blocks transport and it builds up downshore of barrier.   I want you to use the Google Earth tour site to evaluate beach equilibriium of all 12 beaches and LST at several that are so noted.  The pictures below are no longer needed for the online course.  Use this Google Earth Beach tour instead.

Is this beach in equilibrium why or why not?	Is this beach in equilibrium why or why not?
Which way is longshore transport?	Which way is longshore transport?
Is this beach in equilibrium why or why not?	Which way is longshore transport?

Which way is longshore transport?	Is this beach in equilibrium why or why not?
Is this beach in equilibrium why or why not?	Which way is longshore transport?
Is this beach in equilibrium why or why not?	Is this beach in equilibrium why or why not?

Is this beach in equilibrium why or why not?	Is this beach in equilibrium why or why not?