Remote Sensing Approach to Determine Net Shore Drift Direction-A Case Study along the Central East Coast of India

Abstract

Thematic Mapper imageries of Landsat 5 are visually interpreted to determine long-term sediment transport direction also called net shore drift direction along central east Coast of India. Two approaches are adopted while utilizing the remote sensing data for this purpose. Net shore drift direction is determined firstly by studying various coastal landform indicators and secondly by studying offshore turbidity distribution patterns. The results of both the approaches are compared and presented here. Landform indicators study suggests that shore drift direction is towards the southwest direction during northeast monsoon and towards northeast direction during southwest monsoon period. From offshore turbidity pattern, shore drift direction is determined as towards the southwest. Based on these studies and other related evidence, it is concluded that net shore drift direction is towards south-southwest. The present study demonstrates the capability of satellite remote sensing, which provides periodic, integrated and synoptic views, for determining net shore drift direction correctly, economically, and quickly.