ABSTRACT

Analysis of time-series data from two adjacent barrier beaches on the Magdalen Islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence shows that the exposed west coast has a distinct seasonal wave climate and that the sheltered east coast is a storm-wave environment. Application of the general concept that all coasts in the Gulf of St. Lawrence are characterized by a single wave climate region (locally-generated storm waves) does not apply at the local level due to variations in aspect. The two barriers have distinctive morphologies that reflect both the different levels of wave energy and temporal variations in energy levels on the two coasts. Wave energy levels are higher on the exposed coast and seasonal variations in energy levels result in a "summer-winter" beach cycle. On the sheltered east roast ave energy levels are variable throughout the year and beach cycles result from erosion and accretion during storm and post-storm recovery periods. The differences between these exposed and sheltered barrier beaches are similar to those reported for other west- and east-facing beaches in northern hemisphere mid-latitudes which are dominated by westerly winds.