2.7B Emergent and submerging coastlines

• emergent coastline =  parts of the littoral zone where a fall in sea level exposed land once part of the sea bed.

  -> Caused due to post-glacial adjustments

  -> result in raised beaches, fossil cliffs and raised stumps

  -> Scotland
• submergent coastline = sections of the littoral zone where sea level rise inundated areas that were previously part of terrestrial land

  -> result in Rias (drowned river valley), Fjords and Dalmatian

  coasts

  ->e.g. Kingsbridge
• Other facts:

  • Isostatic rebound is episodic - long periods of little change followed by short bursts of marine regression. 
  • Rias are economically important as they provide sheltered ports.