Geomorphological changes on the Barrier Coasts of South Wexford
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55650/igj.1982.766Abstract
Contrary to recent published accounts the coast of South Wexford does not comprise a series of westerly prograding spits, but a landward moving (transgressive) system of gravel-based barriers. Fringing, bar and spit barrier types are all represented. The periodic marine overwashing of the barrier crest creates washover facies in both coarse sediments at Carnsore and Lady's Island Lake and fine sediments at Tacumshin, where storm steepage structures also occur. The barriers are remnants of much larger transgressive features which arc now stranded against the Wexford terrestrial platform. At several points longshore brackish water lagoons exist, partially recharged by freshwater drainage systems. At Lady's Island Lake a discrete surface outlet is unnecessary as seepage through the barrier is capable of dealing with lagoonal discharge pressure. However at Ballyteige the barrier is breached by a major inlet, with a well-developed ebb-tide orientated delta, in order to effect drainage. At Tacumshin the lagoon outlet is a more ephemeral feature, seemingly subject to closure by longshore sediment drifting during low (lows. The dynamics of inlet processes, coupled to longshore wave and sediment transport potential, are the main factors causing change on the south coast of Wexford. It is suggested that the transverse gravel structures at Nemestown, including St Patrick's Bridge, may be the remnants of a now degraded barrier tombola inherited as a transgressive relic from earlier and lower shoreline positions.Downloads
Published
2016-12-21
How to Cite
Orford, J. D., & Carter, R. W. G. (2016). Geomorphological changes on the Barrier Coasts of South Wexford. Irish Geography, 15(1), 70–84. https://doi.org/10.55650/igj.1982.766
Issue
Section
Original Articles
URN
License
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).