Glossary of Terms
The generally dry portion of the beach between the berm crest and the vegetation line that is submerged only during very high sea levels and eroded only during moderate to strong wave events.
Water carried by a vessel to improve its stability.
A topographic map of the bed of the ocean, with depths indicated by contours (isobaths) drawn at regular intervals.
The measurement of water depths in oceans, seas, and lakes; also information derived from such measurements .
An accumulation of loose sediment (usually sand or gravel) along the coast.
The section of the beach normally exposed to the action of the wave uprush. Also referred to as the foreshore of a beach.
A volumetric loss of sand from the active beach.
A decrease in the useable beach width caused by erosion.
The technique of placing sand fill along the shoreline to widen the beach.
A cross-sectional plot of a shore-normal topographic and geomorphic beach survey, usually in comparison to other survey dates to illustrate seasonal and longer-term changes in beach volume.