Natural Hazards and Earth System Science www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net 1561-8633 1684-9981 9 3 2009 10.5194/nhess-9-847-2009 http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/9/847/2009/ http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/9/847/2009/nhess-9-847-2009.html http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/9/847/2009/nhess-9-847-2009.pdf 847 854 2009-06-12 The tsunami geomorphology of coastal dunes J. R. Goff j.goff@unsw.edu.au E. Lane J. Arnold Australian Tsunami Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, NSW, Australia National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd., P.O. Box 8602, Christchurch, New Zealand An examination of the coastal geomorphology of bays along the Otago coastline, SE New Zealand, has identified a geomorphology consistent with tsunami inundation. A tsunami geomorphology consisting of a number of elements including dune pedestals, hummocky topography, parabolic dune systems, and post-tsunami features resulting from changes to the nearshore sediment budget is discussed. The most prominent features at Blueskin Bay are eroded pedestals although it is speculated that hummocky topography may be present in the bay. Tsunami geomorphology at Long Beach is more comprehensive with a marked association between pedestals and a hummocky topography. A full suite of potential geomorphological features however, is not present at either site. The type of features formed by a tsunami, and the ability to detect and interpret a tsunami geomorphology, hinges on the interaction between five key variables; sand availability, embayment type, nature of the coast, accumulation space, and landward environmental conditions. 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