Coastal Landscapes of South Australia

Authors

Robert P. Bourman, University of WollongongFollow
Colin V. Murray-Wallace, University of WollongongFollow
Nick Harvey, University of AdelaideFollow

RIS ID

111057

Publication Details

Bourman, R. P., Murray-Wallace, C. V. & Harvey, N. (2016). Coastal Landscapes of South Australia. Adelaide, South Australia: University of Adelaide.

Abstract

Geologically, the South Australian coast is very young, having evolved over only 1% of geological time, during the past 43 million years since the separation of Australia and Antarctica. It is also very dynamic, with the current shoreline position having been established from only 7000 years ago. The South Australian mainland coast is 3816 km long, with islands providing an additional 1251 km of coast, giving a total coastline of just over 5000 km. South Australian coastal landforms include cliffs, rocky outcrops and shore platforms, mangrove woodlands, mudflats, estuaries, extensive sandy beaches, coastal dunes and coastal barrier systems, as well as numerous near-shore reefs and islands. This book is a landmark study into the variable character of the South Australian coast and its long-term evolution.