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Date Permissions Signed

2-26-2018

Date of Award

Fall 1985

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Geology

First Advisor

Schwartz, Maurice L.

Second Advisor

Suczek, Christopher A., 1942-2014

Third Advisor

Terich, Thomas

Abstract

Geomorphic and sedimentologic indicators of shore drift were used to delineate the boundaries of drift unit cells and their direction of net shore-drift along the 110 km of Pacific coastline of Clallam and Jefferson Counties, Washington. These indicators include changes in bluff morphology, sediment size gradation, beach width and slope, direction of spit progradation and stream mouth diversion, deposition and/or erosion at drift obstructions, identifiable sediment, and nearshore bar orientation. Drift determinations were based on a field oriented approach emphasizing such long-term indicators, supplemented by aerial photography, and literature relevant to the coast.

Wind from the south-southwest prevail and predominate over Western Clallam and Jefferson Counties. This results in a northerly net shore-drift direction dominating along the study area. However, short drift reversals do occur in the wave shadow of headlands, where waves are refracted around nearshore islands and stacks, and where the orientation of the coast differs considerably from the overall trend.

Thirty drift cells, ranging from 0.4 km to over 26 km in length, have been identified and their direction of net shore-drift determined along the Pacific coast of Clallam and Jefferson Counties. The predominant southwesterly wind-generated waves dominate the direction of net shore-drift as evidenced by a northerly drift direction in all but six of the drift unit cells.

Type

Text

Keywords

Shore drift, drift unit cells, Pacific coastline

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25710/dqx3-8c38

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

1033693155

Subject – LCSH

Littoral drift--Washington (State)--Clallam County; Littoral drift--Washington (State)--Jefferson County; Coast changes--Washington (State)--Clallam County; Coast changes--Washington (State)--Jefferson County; Shorelines--Washington (State)--Clallam County; Shorelines--Washington (State)--Jefferson County

Geographic Coverage

Clallam County (Wash.); Jefferson County (Wash.)

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

Net Shore-Drift Clallam County Washington reduced 7272144.pdf (234 kB)
Net Shore-Drift Clallam County Washington

Net Shore-Drift Jefferson Count Washington reduced 7272144.pdf (153 kB)
Net Shore-Drift Jefferson County Washington

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Geology Commons

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