With Reference to a Coastline of Your Choice Discuss the Assertion That Tidal Range Is the Key Influence on Coastal Landform Development

The following essay is a discussion of the assertion that tidal range is the key influence on coastal landform development. The coastline under investigation is the Severn Estuary. Figure 1 below highlights the coastline that shall be investigated to ascertain the dominant coastal processes along this stretch of coast.

Figure 1 – Severn Estuary Location (O., 2006)

The Severn Estuary has the 2nd highest tidal range in the world at about 15 meters (Anon., Severn Estuary). As such the Severn Estuary is classed as Macrotidal also the tidal range is steadily increading (Woolworth, 1999).

Coastal landform evolution is driven by erosion, transportation and depositation processes. The dominant effect of the high tidal range along the Severn Estuary is a key factor in controlling these erosion, transportation and deposition processes. The effect the tide has on these combined processes shall be discussed to understand the geomorphological controls and landforms that have developed around the Severn Estuary.

Erosional processes along the Severn Estuary are limited in extent. This is mainly due to the area being generally tide dominated. Such coastlines are classed as relatively low energy areas. Due to this it is thought that erosion processes are limited along this stretch of coastline.   However erosion features do occur. Wave action will cause some erosional features where the flood tide reach is focussed i.e. where wave energy is concentrated at flood tide events. This is evident near Middle Hope Bay where a wave cut notch has developed over time. Usually the development of these wave dominated landforms is associated with high energy environments, nevertheless this landform feature has developed in this low energy environment (see figure 2 – highlighting the development of a wave cut notch).



Figure 2 – Development of a classic wave cut notch (Brit, 2009)

Other erosion features also occur along this coastline. At Sand Bay a headland and bay... [continues]

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