Which features are common on tide-dominated coasts?

Tide-dominated coasts develop primarily in environments where the tidal range is high or wave energy is low. These coastal areas are characterized by specific morphological features shaped by the regular ebb and flow of tidal currents.12

Common features of tide-dominated coasts include:

• Funnel-shaped embayments: The coastline often features wide, funnel-like openings.13
• Sediment bodies: Long bodies of sediment are typically oriented perpendicular to the overall trend of the coast, aligning with the direction of strong tidal currents.13
• Tidal flats: These are extensive, level, and often muddy or marshy surfaces that are alternately submerged and exposed by the rise and fall of the tides.145
• Salt marshes and tidal creeks: These environments are frequently found in association with the tidal flats.13

In the context of deltas, tide-dominated systems also exhibit these funnel-shaped configurations and are characterized by sand bodies that fan out from the coast, following the path of strong tidal currents.3