Sediment supply dampens the erosive effects of sea-level rise on reef islands.

ABSTRACT: Large uncertainty surrounds the future physical stability of low-lying coral reef islands due to a limited understanding of the geomorphic response of islands to changing environmental conditions. Physical and numerical modelling efforts have improved understanding of the modes and styles of island change in response to increasing wave and water level conditions. However, the impact of sediment supply on island morphodynamics has not been addressed and remains poorly understood. Here we present evidence from the first physical modelling experiments to explore the effect of storm-derived sediment supply on the geomorphic response of islands to changes in sea level and energetic wave conditions. Results demonstrate that a sediment supply has a substantial influence on island adjustments in r

SUBMITTER: Tuck ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7970901 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature