Highlights

The clinoform is a quintessential geometric form of many subaqueous depositional systems.  In this paper, Mitchell et al. analyze a series of sandy, subtidal marine clinoforms extending from steep coasts today, and compare the depth of the clinoform rollover to wave climate.  Although other factors such as wind driven currents (such as downwelling) and tidal currents can influence sediment transport, the analysis reveals that the influences of wave-induced bed shear stress for the upper 10^th percentile of conditions dominate the position of rollovers in these systems.  The results suggest that the position of rollover is not related simply to water depth, and as such, should be used only very cautiously as paleo-sea level indicators.

Depths of modern coastal sand clinoforms by Neil C. Mitchell, Gerhard Masselink, John M. Huthnance, Luis M. Fernández-Salas and Francisco J. Lobo