Coastal morphology of Failaka Island, Kuwait

摘要

The coastal morphological features of Failaka Island are identified using systematic description of its longitudinal beach profiles. Based on geomorphology, nearshore bathymetry and beach profiles, the coast of the island is classified into four main sections; a northern section with a wide beach, a flat intertidal zone, and a relatively higher wave energy; a northwestern section with a narrow beach, a flat intertidal zone, and a lower wave energy; a southern section with very wide beaches and high wave energy; and the southeastern section with a moderately narrow beach, and a low wave energy. Three subzones were recognized within the beach profiles such as the backshore, the foreshore, and the nearshore. From field investigation and analysis of aerial and low-altitude overflight photographs of the island, three geomorphic subenvironments parallel to the coast were recognized: the Pleistocene-Holocene mainland subenvironment, the tidal flat complex subenvironment, and the offshore marine subenviron-ment. The geomorphic mapping within the three subenvironments reveals eleven different sedimentomorphic units (sandy beaches with quartz sand; rocky tidal terraces; silt, clay and soft muddy tidal flat; coastal dunes, wind blown and sand deposits; flat wet lands; sandy calcareous land, gatch and consolidated wash over and recurved spit; inland sabkhas; scarplet and hard rocks; sand bars; and inland ridges). This study provides the basis for future recreational management development of the Failaka Island.