On a longshore debris transport at open ocean coasts (the case of Namibia and Angola coasts)

Abstract

On the basis of space photographs, data from geologic-geomorphologic studies conducted by the French and Portuguese scientists, basing on geomorphological analysis of cartographic materials, it is established that along the south-west coast of Africa-from the Orange River to the Lopez cape there is a strong longshore shift of detrital deposits. It is presented by four large drift currents traced from south to north. The main factor of the shift are waves of ocean swell coming from south-west and spreading obliquely towards the shore-line. The main features of morphology and present-day dynamics of this part of Atlantic Ocean seaside are determined by the process of northward longshore shift of debris.