engleski

The susceptibility to marine erosion and instabilities phenomena: case study SW coast of the Island of Krk, NE Adriatic Sea

The coastal zone around Stara Baška settlement (the SW coast of the Island of Krk, NE channel part of the Adriatic Sea) is in delicate geodynamic balance. Wide areas are formed in karstified carbonate rocks. Gentle inclined carbonate rocky coasts are generally stable, destructive wave influence is small and bioerosion prevails. Siliciclastic rocks (marls and flysch) covered by different type of slope deposits are in a narrow coastal zone and marine erosion is more pronounced. Aerial photo from 1966 and ortho-photo map from 2004 show considerable coastal changes and recorded cliff retreat is up to 5 metres. Strong wave attack and wave-cut notches formation are the main cliff instability causes in talus breccias. The combination of extensive erosion and sliding are common on the coasts formed in strongly weathered siliciclastic rocks and cohesive slope formation. The narrow gravel beach absorbs most of the wave mechanical energy during average see levels. However, during extreme storm surges, the waves reaches the cliff’s toe and can contribute to the cliff undercut formation and furthermore cliff retreat. According to the predicted sea-level rise, the susceptibility of marine erosion and consequently slope instabilities will be higher.

marine erosion, slope stability, sea-level rise, cliff retreat

nije evidentirano