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Towards an improved understanding of erosion rates and tidal notch development on limestone coasts in the Tropics: 10 years of micro-erosion meter measurements, Phang Nga Bay, Thailand

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 19:45 authored by Cherith Moses, David Robinson, Miklos Kazmer, Rendel Brian Glanville Williams
Knowledge and understanding of shore platform erosion and tidal notch development in the tropics and subtropics relies mainly on short-term studies conducted on recently deposited carbonate rocks, predominantly Holocene and Quaternary reef limestones and aeolianites. This paper presents erosion rates, measured over a 10?year period on notches and platforms developed on the Permian, Ratburi limestone at Phang Nga Bay, Thailand. In so doing it contributes to informing a particular knowledge gap in our understanding of the erosion dynamics of shore platform and tidal notch development in the tropics and subtropics – notch erosion rates on relatively hard, ancient limestones measured directly on the rock surface using a micro-erosion meter (MEM) over time periods of a decade or more. The average intertidal erosion rate of 0.231?mm/yr is lower than erosion rates measured over 2–3 years on recent, weaker carbonate rocks. Average erosion rates at Phang Nga vary according to location and site and are, in rank order from highest to lowest: Mid-platform (0.324?mm/yr)?>?Notch floor (0.289?mm/yr)?>?Rear notch wall (0.228?mm/yr)?>?Lower platform (0.140?mm/yr)?>?Notch roof (0.107?mm/yr) and Supratidal (0.095?mm/yr). The micro-relief of the eroding rock surfaces in each of these positions exhibits marked differences that are seemingly associated with differences in dominant physical and bio-erosion processes. The results begin to help inform knowledge of longer term shore platform erosion dynamics, models of marine notch development and have implications for the use of marine notches as indicators of changes in sea level and the duration of past sea levels. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Earth Surface Processes and Landforms

ISSN

0197-9337

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons

Issue

6

Volume

40

Page range

771-782

Department affiliated with

  • Geography Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2015-01-26

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