Difference between revisions of "Beach berm"

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Definition|title=Beach berm
 
Definition|title=Beach berm
|definition= A nearly horizontal plateau on the beach face or [[backshore]], formed by the deposition of beach material by wave action, or by means of a mechanical plant as part of a beach recharge scheme.<ref name="CIRIA (1996)"> CIRIA (1996). ''Beach management manual''. CIRIA Report 153.</ref>.}}
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|definition= A beach berm is a nearly horizontal shore parallel ridge formed on the beach due to the landward transport of the coarsest fraction of the beach material by the wave uprush (swash). }}
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[[File:BeachBerm.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Berms on a beach near Llithfaen (UK). Photo credit Eric Jones. Creative Commons Licence.]]
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==Notes==
 
==Notes==
*There may be several beach berms and in some cases no berms.  
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* Beach berms are most pronounced on so-called reflective beaches (characteristics: steep slope, coarse sediment, subject to low-energy swell waves, intertidal zone almost absent).
*Under normal conditions a beach berm is formed on the upper part of the [[foreshore]], and over the [[backshore]] during severe events.  
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* There may be several beach berms and in some cases no berms.  
*During dry periods berms are often formed across openings to minor streams and [[lagoon]]s, such blocking are also referred to as bar formations.
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* Under normal conditions a beach berm is formed on the upper part of the [[#Beach face|beach face]], and over the [[#Backshore|backshore]] during storm events.  
 
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* Berms can also form on the higher intertidal zone of a [[#Tidal flat|tidal flat]]; these berms are generally called "swash bars".
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* Beach berms are sometimes artificially reinforced as coastal protection measure.  
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==References==
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==Related articles==
<references/>
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:[[Beach face]]
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:[[Nearshore sandbars]]
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:[[Runnel]]
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:[[Definitions of coastal terms]]

Latest revision as of 20:56, 6 April 2021

Definition of Beach berm:
A beach berm is a nearly horizontal shore parallel ridge formed on the beach due to the landward transport of the coarsest fraction of the beach material by the wave uprush (swash).
This is the common definition for Beach berm, other definitions can be discussed in the article


Berms on a beach near Llithfaen (UK). Photo credit Eric Jones. Creative Commons Licence.


Notes

  • Beach berms are most pronounced on so-called reflective beaches (characteristics: steep slope, coarse sediment, subject to low-energy swell waves, intertidal zone almost absent).
  • There may be several beach berms and in some cases no berms.
  • Under normal conditions a beach berm is formed on the upper part of the beach face, and over the backshore during storm events.
  • Berms can also form on the higher intertidal zone of a tidal flat; these berms are generally called "swash bars".
  • Beach berms are sometimes artificially reinforced as coastal protection measure.


Related articles

Beach face
Nearshore sandbars
Runnel
Definitions of coastal terms