Sea coast evolution near Sukhumi

Abstract

Evolution of the sea coast near Sukhumi which is mainly built up of the Gumista River alluvium, differed essentially from other parts of the Black Sea coast within the limits of Georgia. Cape of Sukhumi grew for a long time being blocked from NW by the Esker promontory; sediments constantly accumulated in the bay. As the Esher massif was steadily eroded by waves, wave regime in the bay gradually changed. Spits which began to grow near the Gumista and Kelasuri Rivers mouths divided from the sea large area which became a lagoon. Peat and clays began to accumulate at the surface of a previously existing terrace. The cape growth and final modelling of the bay coast took place after the Fanagorian time.