Mapping and LandformAnalysis of Coastal Regions with Radar

Research Article| February 01, 1971 Mapping and LandformAnalysis of Coastal Regions with Radar H. C MACDONALD; H. C MACDONALD Department of Geology, Georgia Southern College, Statesboro, Georgia 30458 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar A. J LEWIS; A. J LEWIS Department of Geography and Anthropology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar R. S WING R. S WING Princeton Geological Group, Continental Oil Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information H. C MACDONALD Department of Geology, Georgia Southern College, Statesboro, Georgia 30458 A. J LEWIS Department of Geography and Anthropology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 R. S WING Princeton Geological Group, Continental Oil Company, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 16 Jun 1970 Revision Received: 09 Sep 1970 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Copyright © 1971, The Geological Society of America, Inc. Copyright is not claimed on any material prepared by U.S. government employees within the scope of their employment. GSA Bulletin (1971) 82 (2): 345–358. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1971)82[345:MALOCR]2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 16 Jun 1970 Revision Received: 09 Sep 1970 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation H. C MACDONALD, A. J LEWIS, R. S WING; Mapping and LandformAnalysis of Coastal Regions with Radar. GSA Bulletin 1971;; 82 (2): 345–358. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1971)82[345:MALOCR]2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Although aerial photographs still constitute an important source of information for the coastal geomorphologist, data acquisition is severely limited in cloud-shrouded coastal environments. Sequential radar mapping of remote coastlines, however, will provide a practical and rapid method of updating maps and monitoring coastal processes. Contrasts in signal return from the land-water boundary produce a striking interface on radar imagery which is advantageous for the delineation and mapping of coastal features. Along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of eastern Panama and northwestern Colombia, marked discrepancies exist between available maps and the actual configuration as revealed by radar.In addition to the revision of coastal maps, radar imagery also provides the geomorphologist with most of the information interpretable from aerial photographs. Mud flats, beach ridges, natural levees, backswamp basins, beach features, and zones of breaking surf are examples of the observable features. Mangrove swamps, which abound on tropical shores throughout the world, provide a readily recognizable vegetation type which can be unmistakably interpreted from the imagery. Although offshore sediment transport cannot be directly interpreted, inferred trends can be obtained through sequential radar coverage. The Atrato River Delta of northwestern Colombia is cited as an example.Radar imagery interpretation has indicated marked landform differences between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of eastern Panama and northwestern Colombia. The partially submerged mountainous terrain of the southeastern coast is contrasted with the mangrove swamps, beaches, and barrier reefs of east-central Panama. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.