Determination of Net Shore Drift Direction of Central West Coast of India Using Remotely Sensed Data

Abstract

Landsat images along with aerial photographs of the central west coast of India were studied to mark drift cells and determine shore drift of the area. For this purpose, coastal landform indicators like stream mouth diversion, spit growth, recession of cliffs, beach width, mid-bay bar and tombolos and man-made structures interrupting shore drift were studied. As many as 42 drift cells were marked. It is found that within some drift cells, drift direction is due north though net shore drift direction of the area is towards the south. As a result, shore drift is eroding sediments from the cliffy coast of the northern sector and is depositing them in the southern sector causing recession and accretion of the respective coastal sectors. It is concluded that geomorphic landform indicators studied using remotely sensed data provide a quick, reliabIe and accurate solution for determining the net shore drift direction.