Plan-view evolution of wave-dominated deltas
Plan-view evolution of wave-dominated deltas
Date
2016-02
Authors
Nienhuis, Jaap H.
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DOI
10.1575/1912/7742
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Keywords
Deltas
Sediments
Sediments
Abstract
Ocean waves are a powerful sediment transport mechanism in the coastal zone. This thesis
investigates how waves shape deltaic landforms and how small scale river mouth processes
affect large-scale delta morphology. I have developed and applied models of plan-view delta
shape and their channel dynamics. Simple parameterizations and key insights from these models
have allowed us to transcend spatial scales from river mouths to delta plains and make
morphologic predictions around the globe for every delta on Earth. I have applied models of
delta morphology to backtrack the late Holocene evolution of the Ebro River delta in Spain and
estimate timescales and magnitude of past climate change and human impacts. Currently, many
deltas around the world face large sediment deficits because of river damming. I model deltaic
response to reductions in sediment load and offer frameworks to predict future deltaic change in
these dynamic and threatened coastal regions.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution February 2016
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Nienhuis, J. H. (2016). Plan-view evolution of wave-dominated deltas [Doctoral thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution]. Woods Hole Open Access Server. https://doi.org/10.1575/1912/7742