COASTAL DYNAMICS OF UNSKAYA GUBA BAY (SUMMER COAST OF THE WHITE SEA)

Based on the results of field work during 1987-2008 and analysis of satellite images, the primary role of the Coriolis force in the gulf’s coastal dynamics was established. The Coriolis force affects the tidal currents. As a result of the super-imposition of the tidal current over the north-east bearing constituent of an open sea wave disturbance, the west coast is marked by a positive sediment balance. The sediments here move towards the and of the gulf. The movement is accompanied by an intensive reshaping of the accumulation forms and coastal terraces (the wash-out occurs at the rate of up to 5m/year). At the eastern coast, the effect of the tidal fall and the storm waves reflected from the opposite coast, control the divergence of the sediment streams. This, together with land-slip processes at the coastal terraces and sharp deficit of sand material, results in the dominance of wash-out tendencies (up to 2m/year). Similar trends occurred during the Holocene.

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