Offset coastal inlets are common on the coasts of New England and the northern Gulf of Alaska. In both areas, the dominant waves approach the shore at an oblique angle, resulting in a strong net littoral drift. The most common type of offset on these coasts is a downdrift offset (i.e., the downdrift side of the inlet protrudes further seaward than the updrift side). Wave refraction around the ebb-tidal deltas at the inlets is an important process in the formation of the downdrift offsets, inasmuch as it creates a local reversal in drift direction just downdrift of the inlet, and allows sediment to accumulate there. Forms of sediment accumulation in the beach zone include ridge-and-runnel systems, berms, a multiplicity of types of nearshore bars, cusp-type sand waves (or rhythmic topography), complex sand bodies affiliated with ebb-tidal deltas, and an ordered system of minor features (bedforms) that correlate with flow-regime conditions. Most sand beaches undergo a simple cycle of erosion and deposition in response to the passage of coastal storms. (Author).

Along much of the shoreline of the world, tidal inlets play an important role in nearshore processes, providing links between the coastal oceans and protected embayments. Their study is of particular importance not only for the understanding of fundamental processes in coastal oceanography but also for engineering and the proper management of the delicate equilibrium of our shorelines. This volume, based on the International Symposium on Hydrodynamics and Sediment Dynamics of Tidal Inlets held at Woods Hole, MA, presents the reader with an overview of contemporary research on these important features. The coverage includes: - mathematical modelling, including a review of inlet hydrodynamics, - observations on hydrodynamics, - sedimentology and morphology, - tidal deltas, - processes and policies pertaining to sedimentation, and the - impacts of shore protection and dredging in beaches.

Developments in Geotechnical Engineering, 23: Stability of Tidal Inlets: Theory and Engineering focuses on all aspects related to tidal inlets on littoral drift shores where freshwater flow is small or non-existing. The selection first tackles the development and configuration of tidal inlets and inlet hydraulics. Discussions focus on flow dynamics and nearshore transport, combinations of waves and currents, sediment transport and storage in the tidal entrance, offsets of tidal inlets, natural inlet regimen, migration of inlets, and origin of tidal inlets. The manuscript then examines sediment transport in tidal inlets, stability of tidal inlets on littoral drift shores, and design and improvements of coastal inlets. Topics cover ocean entrance, overall stability condition, hydraulic and sedimentary principles, non-scouring channels, transport of sediments in wave agitated waters, and sediment transport by combined wave and current action. The publication explores improvements by structures, including natural bypassing, types of improvement, and bypassing by structures and bypassing plants or arrangements. The selection is a valuable source of data for researchers interested in the stability of tidal inlets.