Where is the seaward edge? A review and definition of shore platform morphology

Abstract

Shore platforms are erosional coastal landforms that have attracted scientific attention since the mid 19th century. The defining element of a platform is width that is used in many calculations such as determining a platform's evolutionary state or inferring how wave energy is distributed along the shore. Although a critical variable, there are no uniform criteria for defining the seaward edge. Quantification of platform width has been driven by site-specific variables, with the seaward edge defined on the basis of tides, morphology, biology, processes and sediment coverage. The lack of a uniform definition has meant that comparative studies are difficult and results are possibly spurious, ..