Coastal Morpho-Dynamics

Abstract

Coastal Sunderbans lies in the southern part of the Ganga – Brahmaputra delta which is the largest delta system of the world. Morphodynamic of Sunderbans coast is a combination of various strong dynamic processes which bring discernable changes in the coastal configuration within short span. Ocean current and waves, strong wind and cyclone surges, active hydrodynamics and neotectonics, acting singularly or in tandem, are main agents acting in these changing processes. For the interpretation of coastal morphodynamics and delineation of specific environmental zones, field studies of various bedforms occurring in the area, mud balls etc. are important. Bakkhali beach provides an example of dynamic morphological domain which is presently under threat of severe erosion. Flow regime change is recorded with the change of bedforms from lower foreshore zone to upper foreshore zone.