Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Internal sedimentary architecture and coastal dynamics as revealed by ground penetrating radar, Kachchh coast, western India

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Acta Geophysica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The coastline constitutes a very sensitive geomorphic domain which is constantly subjected to dynamic coastal processes and stores vital information regarding past sea level fluctuations. A ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey was carried out along the northern coast of the Gulf of Kachchh which is one of the largest macrotidal inlets of the Arabian Sea, Western India. Our studies have delineated several radar surfaces and radar facies which reflect the internal architecture and sediment body geometry, which can be related to the processes acting along this coastline. Various radar facies, namely, beach ridge (Br), washover (Wo), coastal dune (Cd), swale (Sw), berm plain (Bp), and sandsheet facies (Ss) have been identified. The GPR studies successfully documented the subsurface presence of ancient beach ridge system towards the sea, and the coastal dunes towards the land side. The results are suggestive of signatures of changes in sea level and the coastline being prone to high energy events in the recent past. The GPR has been found to be an important non-invasive geophysical tool in the study of past coastal dynamics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Annan, A.P. (1999), Practical Processing of GPR Data, Sensors and Software Inc., Ontario.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, M.R., N.J. Cassidy, and J. Pile (2009), Internal structure of a barrier beach as revealed by ground penetrating radar (GPR): Chesil beach, UK, Geomorphology 104,3–4, 218–229, DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2008.08.015.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bristow, C.S., and K. Pucillo (2006), Quantifying rates of coastal progradation from sediment volume using GPR and OSL: the Holocene fill of Guilchen Bay, south-east South Australia, Sedimentology 53,4, 769–788, DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3091.2006.00792.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bristow, C.S., P.N. Chroston, and S.D. Bailey (2000), The structure and development of foredunes on a locally prograding coast: insights from groundpenetrating radar surveys, Norfolk, UK, Sedimentology 47,5, 923–944, DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3091.2000.00330.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clemmensen, L.B., and L. Nielsen (2010), Internal architecture of a raised beach ridge system (Anholt, Denmark) resolved by ground-penetrating radar investigations, Sediment. Geol. 223,3–4, 281–290, DOI: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2009.11.014.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collinson, J.D., and D.B. Thompson (1989), Sedimentary Structures, 2nd ed., Unwin Hyman, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Costas, S., and D. Fitzgerald (2011), Sedimentary architecture of a spit-end (Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts): The imprints of sea-level rise and inlet dynamics, Mar. Geol. 284,1–4, 203–216, DOI: 10.1016/j.margeo.2011.04.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costas, S., I. Alejo, F. Rial, H. Lorenzo, and M.A. Nombela (2006), Cyclical evolution of a modern transgressive sand barrier in Northwestern Spain elucidated by GPR and aerial photos, J. Sediment. Res. 76,9, 1077–1092, DOI: 10.2110/jsr.2006.094.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Engels, S., and M.C. Roberts (2005), The architecture of prograding sandy-gravel beach ridges formed during the last Holocene highstand: Southwestern British Columbia, Canada, J. Sediment. Res. 75,6, 1052–1064, DOI: 10.2110./jsr.2005.081.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fairbanks, R.G. (1989), A 17,000-year glacio-eustatic sea level record: influence of glacial melting rates on the Younger Dryas event and deep-ocean circulation, Nature 342,6250, 637–642, DOI: 10.1038/342637a0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garrison, J.R., J. Williams, S.P. Miller, E.T. Weber, G. McMechan, and X. Zeng (2010), Ground-penetrating radar study of North Padre Island: implications for barrier island internal architecture, model for growth of progradational microtidal barrier islands, and Gulf of Mexico sea-level cyclicity, J. Sediment. Res. 80,4, 303–319, DOI: 10.2110/jsr.2010.034.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hashimi, N.H., R. Nigam, R.R. Nair, and G. Rajagopalan (1995), Holocene sea level fluctuations on western Indian continental margin: An update, J. Geol. Soc. India 46,2, 157–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Havholm, K.G., D.V. Ames, G.R. Whittecar, B.A. Wenell, S.R. Riggs, H.M. Jol, G.W. Berger, and M.A. Holmes (2004), Stratigraphy of back-barrier coastal dunes, northern North Carolina and southern Virginia, J. Coastal Res. 20,4, 980–999, DOI: 10.2112/03503A2.1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jol, H.M., D.C. Lawton, and D.G. Smith (2003), Ground penetrating radar: 2-D and 3-D subsurface imaging of a coastal barrier spit, Long Beach, WA, USA, Geomorphology 53,1–2, 165–181, DOI: 10.1016/S0169-555X(02)00352-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kar, A. (1993), Neotectonic influences on morphological variations along the coastline of Kachchh, India, Geomorphology 8,2–3, 199–219, DOI: 10.1016/0169-555X(93)90038-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindhorst, S., C. Betzler, and H.C. Hass (2008), The sedimentary architecture of a Holocene barrier spit (Sylt, German Bight): Swash-bar accretion and storm erosion, Sediment. Geol. 206,1–4, 1–16, DOI: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2008.02.008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maurya, D.M., M.G. Thakkar, A.K. Patidar, S. Bhandari, B. Goyal, and L.S. Chamyal (2008), Late Quaternary geomorphic evolution of the coastal zone of Kachchh, western India, J. Coastal Res. 24,3, 746–758, DOI: 10.2112/05-0500.1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neal, A. (2004), Ground-penetrating radar and its use in sedimentology: principles, problems and progress, Earth Sci. Rev. 66,3–4, 261–330, DOI: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2004.01.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neal, A., and C.L. Roberts (2000), Application of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to sedimentological, geomorphological and geoarchaeological studies in coastal environments. In: K. Pye and J.R.L. Allen (eds.), Coastal and Estuarine Environments; Sedimentology, Geomorphology and Geoarchaeology, Geol. Soc. London Spec. Publ., Vol. 175, 139–171, DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.2000.175.01.12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neal, A., and C.L. Roberts (2001), Internal structure of trough blowout, determined from migrated ground-penetrating radar profiles, Sedimentology 48,4, 791–810, DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3091.2001.00382.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neal, A., N.I. Pontee, K. Pye, and J. Richards (2002), Internal structure of mixedsand-and-gravel beach deposits revealed using ground-penetrating radar, Sedimentology 49,4, 789–804, DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3091.2002.00468.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neal, A., J. Richards, and K. Pye (2003), Sedimentology of coarse-clastic beachridge deposits, Essex, southeast England, Sediment. Geol. 162,3–4, 167–198, DOI: 10.1016/S0037-0738(03)00136-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Otvos, E.G. (2000), Beach ridges — definitions and significance, Geomorphology 32,1–2, 83–108, DOI: 10.1016/S0169-555X(99)00075-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pethick, J. (2000), An Introduction to Coastal Geomorphology, Oxford University Press Inc., Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Prizomwala, S.P., S.B. Shukla, and N. Bhatt (2010), Geomorphic assemblage of the Gulf of Kachchh coast, western India: Implications in understanding the pathways of coastal sediments, Z. Geomorphol. 54,1, 31–46, DOI: 10.1127/0372-8854/2010/0054-0003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prizomwala, S.P., S.B. Shukla, N. Basavaiah, and N. Bhatt (2013), Provenance discrimination studies on sediments of SW Kachchh coast, western India: Insights from heavy mineral and mineral magnetic analysis, J. Coastal Res. 29,1, 52–60, DOI: 10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-11-00048.1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao, V.P., M. Veerayya, M. Thamban, and B.G. Wagle (1996), Evidences of late Quaternary neotectonic activity and sea-level changes along the western continental margin of India, Curr. Sci. India 71,3, 213–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao, V.P., G. Rajagopalan, K.H. Vora, and F. Almeida (2003), Late Quaternary sea level and environmental changes from relic carbonate deposits of the western margin of India, J. Earth Syst. Sci. 112,1, 1–25, DOI: 10.1007/BF02710040.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reineck, H.E., and I.B. Singh (1980), Depositional Sedimentary Environments, Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Shukla, S.B., A.K. Patidar, and N. Bhatt (2008), Application of GPR in the study of shallow subsurface sedimentary architecture of Modwa spit, Gulf of Kachchh, J. Earth Syst. Sci. 117,1, 33–40, DOI: 10.1007/s12040-008-0010-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Switzer, A.D., C.S. Bristow, and B.G. Jones (2006), Investigation of large-scale washover of a small barrier system on the southeast Australian coast using ground penetrating radar, Sediment. Geol. 183,1–2, 145–156, DOI: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2005.09.015.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Dam, R.L., and W. Schlager (2000), Identifying causes of ground-penetrating radar reflections using time-domain reflectometry and sedimentological analysis, Sedimentology 47,2, 435–449, DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3091.2000.00304.x.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, P., and M.H. Horwitz (2007), Erosional and depositional characteristics of regional overwash deposits caused by multiple hurricanes, Sedimentology 54,3, 545–564, DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3091.2006.00848.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, The M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara, India

    Shashi B. Shukla, Vikas M. Chowksey, Siddharth P. Prizomwala, Vishal M. Ukey, Nilesh P. Bhatt & Deepak M. Maurya

Authors
  1. Shashi B. Shukla
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Vikas M. Chowksey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Siddharth P. Prizomwala
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Vishal M. Ukey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Nilesh P. Bhatt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Deepak M. Maurya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nilesh P. Bhatt.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shukla, S.B., Chowksey, V.M., Prizomwala, S.P. et al. Internal sedimentary architecture and coastal dynamics as revealed by ground penetrating radar, Kachchh coast, western India. Acta Geophys. 61, 1196–1210 (2013). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11600-013-0102-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11600-013-0102-8

Key words

Search

Navigation