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Morphological Processes and Evolution of Marine Geomorphology: Observations, Modeling and Applications

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A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Geological Oceanography".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 9863

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Prof. Dr. Ziyin Wu

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Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences, Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Hangzhou 310012, China
Interests: underwater target detection; binocular vision; semi-global stereo matching; disparity map optimization; 3D Reconstruction

Prof. Dr. Zeng Zhou

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Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Coastal Ocean Resources Development and Environmental Security, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China
Interests: estuarine and coastal geomorphology; morphological evolution; morphodynamic observation and modelling

Prof. Dr. Xiaolei Liu

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Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
Interests: marine engineering geology; wave-seabed interactions; submarine sediment gravity flows; seafloor in situ test and observation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Submarine and coastal geomorphology play a fundamental role in revealing the basic characteristics, evolution, and dynamical processes of the seafloor, serving as a foundation for submarine geosciences. From shallow coasts to the deep sea, the seafloor exhibits a wide range of forms, reflecting the influence of a range of oceanographic, sedimentary, tectonic, and biological processes on different scales of time and space. To date, only 80% of the world’s seafloor has been mapped using modern sounding technology, leaving a vast majority unexplored. Fortunately, technological advancements have significantly enhanced our ability to explore and model these environments and processes with greater accuracy. Consequently, studying the shape, processes, and evolution of coastal and submarine geomorphology has become a top priority for academic and research institutions, government authorities, and industries worldwide.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of seafloor data, as well as in the development of numerical modeling methodologies. These advancements have greatly improved our understanding of coastal and submarine geomorphology and the processes that shape them. Furthermore, the availability of high-resolution spatial and temporal data has led to the application of seafloor geomorphology products in various fields. This research topic aims to provide a venue for sharing our increased knowledge on the nature of morphologic processes and evolution of coastal and submarine geomorphology. Additionally, we aim to showcase the latest techniques in observation and modeling, as well as the diverse applications of seafloor geomorphology products.

Prof. Dr. Ziyin Wu
Prof. Dr. Zeng Zhou
Prof. Dr. Xiaolei Liu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

coastal and submarine geomorphic processes
coastal and submarine geomorphic evolution
seafloor observation techniques
advances in seafloor data analysis and mining
modelling coastal and submarine geomorphic processes
applied geomorphology and geohazard assessment

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 14188 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling the Impacts of Land Reclamation on Sediment Dynamics in a Semi-Enclosed Bay

by Yi Zhong, Jun Du, Yongzhi Wang, Ping Li, Guoqiang Xu, Hongbin Miu, Peiyu Zhang, Shenghui Jiang and Wei Gao

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(9), 1633; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12091633 - 13 Sep 2024

Viewed by 718

Abstract

Semi-enclosed bays are significantly influenced by the interactions between land and sea, as well as human activities. One notable human activity, land reclamation, impacts water exchange within these bays. However, the variability of sediment transport and cross-bay transport following reclamation remains poorly understood. This study aims to enhance the understanding of sediment dynamics and the responses of cross-bay transport to reclamation. A well-validated three-dimensional numerical model was developed in the Laizhou Bay (LB). Following reclamation, tidal currents suspended sediment concentration, and erosion increased seaward, while these factors decreased landward. In LB, surface and bottom subtidal currents flowed in opposite directions, with the direction of volume transport primarily determined by bottom currents. In the western LB, volume and sediment transport exhibited an anticyclonic pattern, with pronounced seasonal variations observed elsewhere. During summer, volume and sediment transport predominantly occurred from the northeast to the southwest. In winter, volume transport in northern LB was directed westward, while it was eastward in the southern part; sediment transport was primarily eastward. Advection played a significant role in sediment transport dynamics. The pathway of cross-bay sediment transport was primarily located in the central part of the bay. Notably, the cross-bay sediment transport flux in winter was approximately 3.5 times greater than in summer, with reclamation resulting in a reduction in cross-bay transport flux by about 22.17%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Morphological Processes and Evolution of Marine Geomorphology: Observations, Modeling and Applications)

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26 pages, 13378 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Empirical Orthogonal Function Analysis on Long-Term Profile Evolution of Tidal Flats along a Curved Coast in the Qiantang River Estuary, China

by Ying Li and Dongzi Pan

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1089; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071089 - 27 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 700

Abstract

Abstract: Tidal flats are dynamic coastal ecosystems continually reshaped by natural processes and human activities. This study investigates the application of Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis to the long-term profile evolution of tidal flats along the Jiansan Bend of the Qiantang River Estuary, China. By applying EOF analysis to profiles observed from 1984 to 2023, this study identifies dominant modes of variability and their spatial and temporal characteristics, offering insights into the complex sediment transport and morphological evolution processes. EOF analysis helps unravel the complex interactions between natural and anthropogenic factors shaping tidal flats, with the first three eigenfunctions accounting for over 90% of the observed variance. The first spatial eigenfunction captures the primary trend, while the subsequent two eigenfunctions reveal secondary and tertiary modes of variability. A conceptual model developed in this study elucidates the interplay between hydrodynamic forces and morphological changes, highlighting the rotation and oscillation of tidal flat profiles in response to seasonal variations in hydrological conditions. The findings emphasize the effectiveness of EOF analysis in capturing significant geomorphological processes and underscore its potential in enhancing the understanding of tidal flat dynamics, thereby informing more effective management and conservation strategies for these critical coastal environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Morphological Processes and Evolution of Marine Geomorphology: Observations, Modeling and Applications)

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19 pages, 62150 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics and Environmental Indications of Grain Size and Magnetic Susceptibility of the Late Quaternary Sediments from the Xiyang Tidal Channel, Western South Yellow Sea

by Fei Xia, Dezheng Liu and Yongzhan Zhang

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(5), 699; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12050699 - 24 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1296

Abstract

To reveal the characteristics and environmental indications for the combination of the grain size and magnetic susceptibility of coastal sediments, we provided a necessary basis for further study on their genetic mechanisms. Based on the data of grain size and magnetic susceptibility of the 36.10 m long core 07SR01 sediments in the Xiyang tidal channel of western South Yellow Sea, we analyzed their variations and correlations and further revealed their environmental indications and corresponding regional sedimentary evolution via the combination of the aforementioned analysis results, the reinterpretation results of the sedimentary sequence and the age of core 07SR01 and shallow seismic profiles, and the findings of climate and glacial–eustatic cycles during Late Quaternary. The three stages of the sedimentary evolution of the Xiyang tidal channel between marine isotope stage (MIS) 7 and MIS 5 were summarized as follows: First is the stage of marginal bank and riverbed developments in the tidal estuary under a relatively high sea level and strong hydrodynamic conditions during MIS 7 (core section: 36.10–26.65 m). The sediments deposited in this stage were mainly affected by the paleo-Changjiang River and characterized by a coarse grain size (mean: 4.02 Φ) and relatively high magnetic susceptibilities (mean: 27.06 × 10⁻⁸ m³·kg⁻¹), with small fluctuations which were strongly and positively correlated with the sand component. Second is the stage dominated by fluviolacustrine and littoral environments with the weak hydrodynamics during MIS 6–5, in which the climate changed from cold and dry to warm and humid as the sea level rose after a drop (core section: 26.65–15.77 m). The sediments deposited in this stage were characterized by a fine grain size (mean: 5.27 Φ) and low magnetic susceptibilities with minor variations (mean: 10.83 × 10⁻⁸ m³·kg⁻¹) which were weakly and positively correlated with the coarse silt component. Third is the stage of delta front in the tidal estuary with a relatively high sea level and strong hydrodynamics during MIS 5 (core section: 15.77–0 m). The sediments deposited in this stage were strongly influenced by the paleo-Yellow River and characterized by a relatively coarse grain size (mean: 4.86 Φ), and high magnetic susceptibilities (mean: 37.15 × 10⁻⁸ m³·kg⁻¹) with large fluctuations which were weakly and positively correlated with the sand and coarse silt components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Morphological Processes and Evolution of Marine Geomorphology: Observations, Modeling and Applications)

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19 pages, 5345 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tidal Flat Erosion Processes and Their Dynamic Mechanisms on the South Side of Sheyang River Estuary, Jiangsu Province

by Wangze Zhang, Kai Ouyang, Xiaofei Zhang, Aijun Wang, Qian Yu, Xiang Ye and Caihua Yao

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(4), 687; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12040687 - 22 Apr 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1180

Abstract

Tidal flats are accumulations of fine-grained sediment formed under the action of tides and play a very important role in coastal protection. The northern part of Jiangsu coast, as a typical example of muddy coasts found all over the world, has experienced serious erosion since the Yellow River shifted northward, and the range of erosion has been gradually extending southward, now reaching the south of the Sheyang River estuary (SYRE). In order to address coastal erosion near the SYRE through protective measures, there is an urgent need for research on the spatial and temporal variation of coastal erosion processes and their control mechanisms in the SYRE and adjacent coastal areas. For this study, the tidal flats on the south side of the SYRE were selected as the study area, and the sediment dynamics in the upper and lower intertidal flat were observed in different seasons to investigate the erosion processes and their dynamic mechanisms. The results show that the tidal current and wave action in the observed intertidal flats are stronger in winter than in summer, and these intertidal flats erode under the combined action of waves and currents. During winter, the net transport of the near-bottom suspended sediment and bedload is primarily towards the southeast, while in summer, the direction tends toward the north and northeast. The net transport fluxes are larger in the lower part of the intertidal flat than in the upper part in summer and also larger in winter than in summer within the lower intertidal flat. Furthermore, the tidal flat erosion in the study area manifests as shoreline retreat and flat surface erosion. The average shoreline retreat rate increased from 23.3 m/a during 2014–2019 to 43.5 m/a during 2019–2021, and the average erosion depth of the lower and upper parts of the intertidal flat over a tidal cycle is, respectively, 1.98 cm and 0.24 cm in winter and 1.65 cm and 0.26 cm in summer. The ratio of the wave-induced bottom shear stress to the tidal current-induced bottom shear stress is 0.40~0.46 in the lower intertidal flat and increases to 0.66~0.67 in the upper intertidal flat, indicating that the intertidal flat erosion in the study area is primarily driven by tidal currents, with significant contributions from wave action, especially in the upper intertidal flat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Morphological Processes and Evolution of Marine Geomorphology: Observations, Modeling and Applications)

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17 pages, 15630 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Submarine Morphological Description of the Ancient Archipelagic Aprons in the Marcus–Wake Seamount Group, Northwestern Pacific Ocean

by Xiao Wang, Huaiming Li, Yongshou Cheng, Pengfei Yao, Fengyou Chu, Weilin Ma, Hongyi Wang, Shihui Lv, Xiaohu Li, Zhenggang Li, Weiyan Zhang and Yanhui Dong

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(4), 670; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12040670 - 18 Apr 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1231

Abstract

Herein, the morphological characteristics of submarine archipelagic aprons were presented for five guyots, Suda, Arnold, Lamont, Niulang, and Zhinyv, which are over 80 Ma years old and are located in the Marcus–Wake seamount group, northwestern Pacific Ocean. Nearly 28 landslide deposits were recognized using the bathymetry and backscatter intensity data collected from the studied guyots. Landslides and their deposits that surround seamounts are mostly related to the morphology of debris avalanches, scarps, gullies/channels, and bedforms. The morphology of the archipelagic aprons of the studied guyots indicates mutual landslide processes, including slump and distinct debris avalanches arising from a cohesive or cohesionless landslide material flow. The superimposition of debris flows and sedimentation dominates the recent stages of the studied guyots. The archipelagic aprons corresponding to convex-arc-shaped scarps exhibit larger domains compared to the invagination-arc-shaped scarps with similar lateral lengths. The scarp morphologies of the studied guyots are predominantly of the complex-arc shape, indicating multiple landslide events. Parallel and convergent gullies and channels are mostly found on the elongated landslide deposits, whereas divergent and radial gullies and channels are mostly distributed on the fan-shaped aprons. Ubiquitous sediment waves occurred on the bedforms of the distal archipelagic apron across the studied guyots because of sediment creep. Small-scale sediment waves were only observed in the channels on the aprons of the Suda guyot. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Morphological Processes and Evolution of Marine Geomorphology: Observations, Modeling and Applications)

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17 pages, 24700 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Teleseismic Indication of Magmatic and Tectonic Activities at Slow- and Ultraslow-Spreading Ridges

by Kaixuan Yan, Jie Chen and Tao Zhang

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(4), 605; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12040605 - 30 Mar 2024

Viewed by 984

Abstract

Magmatic and tectonic processes in the formation of oceanic lithosphere at slow–ultraslow-spreading mid-ocean ridges (MORs) are more complicated relative to faster-spreading ridges, as their melt flux is overall low, with highly spatial and temporal variations. Here, we use the teleseismic catalog of magnitudes over 4 between 1995 and 2020 from the International Seismological Center to investigate the characteristics of magmatic and tectonic activities at the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge and Arctic Gakkel Ridge and the slow-spreading North Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Carlsberg Ridge (total length of 14,300 km). Using the single-link cluster analysis technique, we identify 78 seismic swarms (≥8 events), 877 sequences (2–7 events), and 3543 single events. Seismic swarms often occur near the volcanic center of second-order segments, presumably relating to relatively robust magmatism. By comparing the patterns of seismicity between ultraslow- and slow-spreading ridges, and between melt-rich and melt-poor regions of the Southwest Indian Ridge with distinct seafloor morphologies, we demonstrate that a lower spreading rate and a lower melt supply correspond to a higher seismicity rate and a higher potential of large volcano-induced seismic swarms, probably due to a thicker and colder lithosphere with a higher degree of along-axis melt focusing there. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Morphological Processes and Evolution of Marine Geomorphology: Observations, Modeling and Applications)

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19 pages, 35252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Erosional and Depositional Features along the Axis of a Canyon in the Northern South China Sea and Their Implications: Insights from High-Resolution AUV-Based Geophysical Data

by Xishuang Li, Lejun Liu, Bigui Huang, Qingjie Zhou and Chengyi Zhang

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(4), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12040599 - 30 Mar 2024

Viewed by 992

Abstract

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)-based multibeam bathymetry, sub-bottom profiles, and side-scan sonar images were collected in 2009 and 2010 to map the geomorphic features along the axial zone of a canyon (referred to as C4) within the canyon system developed on the northern slope of the South China Sea. These data significantly improved the spatial resolution of acoustic data, leading to a better understanding of the sedimentary processes within the modern canyon system. The bathymetric data reveal that sections across the canyon axis exhibit either asymmetrical or symmetrical characteristics, which differ from the overall asymmetrical pattern of the entire canyon. This suggests that the overall asymmetrical pattern of the canyon is not primarily due to axial incision. Various morphological elements were identified along the canyon axis, including failure scars, undulating features, knickpoints, flat terraces, furrows, and mass transport deposits (MTDs). Landslides, predominantly located in the upper canyon, were formed after at least 5000 years BP. Between the beginning of the canyon and a water depth of approximately 1300 m, there are alternating flat terraces and knickpoints. The large knickpoints’ low slope gradients are likely formed by the presence of undulating features. The internal configurations of undulating features suggest that they are depositional structures rather than sediment deformation. The formation of small-scale furrows below a depth of 1200 m may be associated with occasional gravity flows down the canyon. It is suggested that the canyon was generally inactive during the Holocene but experienced sporadic processes of sediment erosion, transport, and re-deposition in the axial zone that were triggered by landslide events occasionally in the upper canyon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Morphological Processes and Evolution of Marine Geomorphology: Observations, Modeling and Applications)

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12 pages, 8148 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Module Fusion Model for Submarine Pipeline Identification Based on YOLOv5

by Bochen Duan, Shengping Wang, Changlong Luo and Zhigao Chen

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(3), 451; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12030451 - 3 Mar 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1416

Abstract

In recent years, the surge in marine activities has increased the frequency of submarine pipeline failures. Detecting and identifying the buried conditions of submarine pipelines has become critical. Sub-bottom profilers (SBPs) are widely employed for pipeline detection, yet manual data interpretation hampers efficiency. The present study proposes an automated detection method for submarine pipelines using deep learning models. The approach enhances the YOLOv5s model by integrating Squeeze and Excitation Networks (SE-Net) and S2-MLPv2 attention modules into the backbone network structure. The Slicing Aided Hyper Inference (SAHI) module is subsequently introduced to recognize original large-image data. Experimental results conducted in the Yellow Sea region demonstrate that the refined model achieves a precision of 82.5%, recall of 99.2%, and harmonic mean (F1 score) of 90.0% on actual submarine pipeline data detected using an SBP. These results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method and applicability in real-world scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Morphological Processes and Evolution of Marine Geomorphology: Observations, Modeling and Applications)

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