Storm Impacts on the Morphology and Sedimentology of Open‐Coast Tidal Flats

Sediment dynamics and morphodynamics along open‐coast tidal flats carry strong regional characteristics controlled by both input sediment properties and regional oceanographic conditions. This chapter discusses the morphodynamics and sedimentologic characteristics of open‐coast tidal flats using those along the Changjiang River delta in China as examples. The open‐coast tidal flats fringing the Changjiang River delta are significantly influenced by the tremendous mud‐sized sediment supplies from the large river. Open‐coast tidal flats illustrate a characteristic sequence of sedimentary structures composed of muddy and sandy laminae. A distinctive group with thicker sandy laminae is referred to as Sand‐Dominated Layer (SDL), while a group with thicker muddy laminae is referred to as Mud‐Dominated Layer (MDL). SDL is deposited during storm season, while MDL corresponds to calm weather season. The alternation of SDL and MDL therefore represents the variation of storm and calm weather season. This understanding is in contrast to the commonly used spring‐neap tidal cycle interpretation