Estuarine and Coastal Erosions

Abstract

Sunderbans is characterised by anastomising network of tidal rivers, creeks and minor salt water courses. This estuarine coast is undergoing continuous changes due to the action of the asymmetric tidal flow regime, river fluxes, waves, sea level change and the vagaries of nature in the form of cyclones and storms which are almost regular phenomena. Depositional and erosional features are observed at river banks, point bars, mid channel bars and the intertidal swash platforms. Sandy deposits are eroded because of resuspension and transported by seaward waves and tides whereas mud is eroded by scouring and transported by suspension. The erosion and accretion process over the Sunderbans delta might have a bearing on the neotectonic activity on the Bengal Basin.