Overwash processes along a gravel beach in south‐east Ireland

Recent overwashing, and to a more limited extent overtopping, has occurred on a gravel‐dominated beach just west of Carnsore Point in south‐east Ireland. At relatively low points swash excursions have breached the duneline and extensive gravel fans have formed on landward‐facing slopes. Also, at interbreach positions, swash ramps have been built‐up in front of previously eroding dune cliffs, allowing overtopping at heights of up to 5 m above MHWOST, spreading a veneer of sediment over the adjacent dune ridge. In both cases events appear to be preceded by erosion and backbeach sand and gravel deposition. Stratigraphic, textural and fabric analyses assist in identifying environmental conditions that prevailed during overwash throat and fan, and overtopping ramp, sedimentation.