On morpholithodynamic processes and landforms of the Penzhinskaya Guba

Abstract

The Penzhinskaya Guba (bay in the north of the Sea of Okhotsk) is distinguished from other seas of the USSR by the highest tides (up to 14 m). Geological and geophysical studies identified the main process in its morpholithodynamics to be powerful continuous evacuation of terrigenous material from the coast offshore (onto the outer shelf). The size of particles transported varies in wide limits (from silt and clay to gravel) due to high activity of waves and tides. The material is evacuated mostly through the western part of the bay by a complicated system of sediment flows. Various depositional and erosional features are formed in the process, including submarine ridges and barriers up to 22 m high and erosional furrows up to 105 m deep.