Study of morpholithodynamics and modeling of coastal processes on Iturup Island (Kuril Islands)

Sediment redistribution on the beach and offshore slope are the main processes forming the accumulating marine terraces of Iturup Island. The intensity of these processes is controlled by tectonic and seismic activity associated with Kuril-Kamchatka subduction zone. The long-term changes of the island ground level are due to vertical tectonic movement, while the short-term changes are associated with seismicity. Studies of morpholithodynamic processes in the coastal zone on the island of Iturup were carried out using the methods of paleoseismology, geomorphological analysis, and computer modeling. Based on previously collected data, analysis of topographic maps and satellite imagery, and field measurements on Iturup Island in 2022–2023, digital maps and digital elevation models (DEMs) of the coastal zone of the Kuril Bay were constructed. Four buried scarps were discovered within the beach ridge sediments on the accumulative marine terrace, indicating vertical coseismic subsidence that periodically occurs on the Sea of Okhotsk coast of Iturup. Based on tephra from the Tarumae volcano, the approximate age of the young beach ridges has been established (about 280 years). Applied 3D modeling predicted the flooding of the territory at different sea levels. Coastal profile of equilibrium developed from the DEM using the Dean model indicated that the modern marine terrace is stable. The SBEACH software was used to simulated storm surges and storm frequencies at different sea level scenarios. It was concluded that the erosion of the accumulative marine terrace, where the city of Kurilsk is located is possible either by catastrophic storms of rare recurrence, or after abrupt coseismic subsidence of the coast, which can occur during a strong earthquake in the area of the southern segment of the Kuril-Kamchatka subduction zone.

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