Global Distribution and Morphodynamic Patterns of Paired Spits Developed at the Mouths of Interdistributary Bays of Deltas and within Coastal Channels

Alcántara Carrió, JavierFontán Bouzas, ÁngelaCaicedo Rodríguez, AnaPortantiolo Manzolli, RogérioPortz, Luana2023-11-062023-11-062023Alcántara-Carrió, Javier, et al. «Global Distribution and Morphodynamic Patterns of Paired Spits Developed at the Mouths of Interdistributary Bays of Deltas and within Coastal Channels». Remote Sensing, vol. 15, n.o 11, mayo de 2023, p. 2713. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15112713.10.3390/rs15112713https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/88599Previously, paired spits have been described at the mouths of bays, estuaries, and deltas. This study analyzed the worldwide distribution and morphodynamic patterns of paired spits located at the mouths of interdistributary bays of deltas (three systems) and within coastal channels (24 systems). The methodology was based on the detailed analysis of satellite images, nautical charts, and tidal-range databases. The paired spits found were mainly located on microtidal coasts at high or mid latitudes. Waves were the main factor controlling convergent progradation and breaching of the spits, while the hydraulic blockage for the development of these paired spits was mainly due to tide-induced currents, as well as minor fluvial outlets in the interdistributary bays. Three morphodynamic patterns were identified: (i) stable, with low progradation rates, generally without breaching or degradation of any of the spits; (ii) stationary, with high progradation rates, alternating degradation or breaching of any of the spits with the formation of new spits or closure of the breaches; and (iii) instable or ephemeral, which included three subtypes, the severe erosion of one or both spits, the joining of the head of the two spits forming a single barrier, and the merging of each with its channel margin.engAttribution 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Global Distribution and Morphodynamic Patterns of Paired Spits Developed at the Mouths of Interdistributary Bays of Deltas and within Coastal Channelsjournal article2072-4292https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15112713https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/11/2713open access551.435.3GeomorphologyBaymouth spitsDouble spitsProgradationErosionDegradationBreachingGeodinámica2506.07 Geomorfología