Mesotidal Inlets and Estuaries

Abstract

This introductory section will serve to set the stage for later, more detailed investigations into the bedform patterns, sedimentary structures, detailed morphology, and stratigraphic sequences of mesotidal inlets and estuaries. The term ``mesotidal,'' used here, is from Davies (1964), who classifies shorelines on the basis of tidal range as follows: (1) microtidal, tidal range <2m; (2) mesotidal, 2--4 m; and (3) macrotidal, tidal range >4 m. Hayes (1975), in a study of coastal charts of the world, found variations in morphology of depositional shorelines that could be related to variations in tidal range. His results are shown in Figure 1, a plot of tidal range versus the relative abundance of depositional coastal features.