ABSTRACT
The coastline is formed by the intersection of the sea level with the land. If sea level rises, the coastline is shifted landward, whereas if sea level falls, the coastline is shifted seaward. Rising sea levels are referred to as transgressive conditions and generally result in the drowning and/or onshore migration of coastal landforms. Falling sea levels are referred to as regressive conditions and commonly result in the emergence of coastal landforms and coastal progradation. Over short time scales (seconds-months), sea level rises and falls with waves, tides, changes in atmospheric pressure and wind. However, when these fluctuations are averaged out, a stable value can be obtained. This constant value is referred to as the mean sea level (MSL).
