Studies of Recent Changes in the Caspian Coastal Zone of Russia Based on Aerial and Space Imagery

Abstract

Comparison of aerospace pictures of the Caspian coasts of Russia taken during periods of regression (1977-1978) and transgression (1982-1992) has shown that influence of sea level rise is increases from the north to the south along with increase of offshore gradients and transition from predominantly depositional type of the coast to prevailing erosion one. At the northern part of the area (with exception of the section near the Volga delta with its "buffer" effect) flooding of mud flats and some landward retreat of all coastal complex are the typical features of coastal zone dynamics. At the southern part of the Caspian coasts of Russia transgressive transformation displays within more narrow strip. Active wave reconstruction with cliff erosion at steep slopes and large beach ridge formation with wide lagoon behind it - at more gentle slope - are the most important feature here.