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Coastal boulder deposits (CBDs) are among the most striking geomorphic signatures of extreme wave activity, recording the action of both tsunamis and severe storms. Their significance extends beyond geomorphology, providing geological archives that capture rare but high-impact events beyond the scope of instrumental or historical records. This review critically examines the origins, emplacement mechanisms, diagnostic morphology, monitoring tools, and global case studies of CBDs with the aim of clarifying the storm–tsunami debate and advancing their application in coastal hazard assessment. A systematic literature survey of 77 peer-reviewed studies published between 1991 and 2025 was conducted using Scopus and Web of Science, with inclusion criteria ensuring relevance to extreme-wave processes, geomorphic analysis, and chronological methods. Multiproxy approaches were emphasized, integrating geomatics (RTK-GPS, UAV-SfM, TLS, LiDAR), geochronology (14C, U–Th, OSL, cosmogenic nuclides, VRM), and hydrodynamic modeling. Findings show that tsunamis explain the largest and most inland megaclasts, while modern storms have proven capable of mobilizing boulders exceeding 200 t at elevations up to 30 m. Many deposits are polygenetic, shaped by successive high-energy events, complicating binary classification. CBDs emerge as multifaceted archives of extreme marine forcing, essential for refining hazard assessments in a changing climate.
Gharnate et al. (Tue,) studied this question.