Decadal-scale gravel beach evolution on a tectonically-uplifting coast: Wellington, New Zealand

• Published in: Earth surface processes and landforms Vol. 37; no. 11; pp. 1133 - 1141
• Main Authors: Olson, David, Kennedy, David M., Dawe, Iain, Calder, Miles
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 15.09.2012; Wiley
• Subjects: accommodation space; Bgi / Prodig; co-seismic abrupt uplift; longshore drift; longshore drift, accommodation space; mixed sand and gravel beaches; New Zealand; Oceania; Physical geography; New Zealand; North Island; Coastline; Sand; Coastal environment; Gravel; Vertical movement; Tectonics; Coastal dynamics; Sediment transport
• ISSN: 0197-9337; 1096-9837
• DOI: 10.1002/esp.3233

ABSTRACT Uplift of the shoreline in tectonically‐active areas can have a profound influence on geomorphology changing the entire process dynamics of the coast as the landforms are removed from the influence of the sea. Over decadal timescales it is possible for the landforms to return to their pre‐earthquake condition and this paper examines the re‐establishment of mixed sand and gravel beaches on the coast of Wellington, New Zealand, subsequent to an uplift event in 1855. Over 60 topographic profiles were surveyed, seven sets of aerial photographs from a 67 year period were mapped and sediment size analyses conducted in order to quantify the nature of beach change following uplift, and associated relative sea level fall. These data were supported by surveys using ground penetrating radar. It is found that uplift raised the gravel beaches out of the swash zone thereby removing them from the littoral zone. Intertidal rocky reefs which occur between each embayment were also uplifted during the same event and completely interrupted the longshore transport system. Continued input of gravel material to the littoral zone allowed beaches to re‐establish sequentially along the coast as each embayment was infilled with sediment. This reconnection of the embayments with the longshore drift system is associated with the beach planform being initially drift dominated during infill but then switching to swash alignment once the embayment becomes infilled. This has resulted in shoreline accretion of over 100 m in some places, at rates of up to 4 m/yr, covering shore protection works built in the past few decades. The ability of the shore to adjust back to its pre‐uplift condition appears to be a function of the accommodation space created during uplift and the rate of sediment supply. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.