Morphodynamics due to storms surges in a tidally-dominated coastal environment

In this paper a process-based morphodynamic model for hindcasting bed elevation changes during extreme storm events is demonstrated for a tidally-dominated area on the German North Sea coast. Two storm events were selected due to their historical significance and the severity of destruction they caused on the German North Sea coast. They occurred in January 1994, and December 1999 (Anatol). The results of the investigations showed that the intensity of the storm is one of the significant factors for the morphological changes. It was found that sudden increases in the westerly wind speeds in conjunction with neap tidal conditions lead to higher morphological activity than gradual changes in the wind speed combined with spring tides. The results showed also that most of the morphological changes take place during the storm season and that only a partial recovery of the bathymetry takes place within a one year period.