Massey Documents by Type

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294

Browse

Filters

1972 - 197911980 - 19891

Settings

Has files: YesSubject: search.filters.subject.New Zealand coasts

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The location and orientation of coastal parabolic sand dunes in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Geography at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1989) Muckersie, Christine Ann
    No previous research into either the spatial diversity of different coastal sand dune types, or the factors influencing the location and morphology of any particular dune type has been done in New Zealand. Vertical aerial photographs were used to locate Holocene dunefields around the New Zealand coastline. The locations of dunefields in general and the spatial diversity of dune types are able to be explained by identifying the conditions most suitable for sand dune development and examining the spatial variation in these conditions. One particular dune type, parabolic, was examined in more detail in order to discover the relative importance of different variables to the development of that dune type. The relationship between wind climate and the location and morphology of coastal parabolic sand dunes was examined in detail. Wind data from coastal sites around New Zealand were used to compute sand transport vectors using two methods - one proposed by Landsberg (1956) and the other by Fryberger (1979) - and these were compared with dune orientations obtained from aerial photographs. Although Fryberger's method has never previously been applied to coastal sand dunes, the two methods were found to produce very similar results. Spatial variation of other aspects of dune morphology, such as the shape of parabolic dunes, were also compared to wind climate characteristics. Such comparisons were permitted by applying further calculations proposed by Fryberger which allow the directional variablity of wind to be expressed in exact terms. The results of these studies indicate that morphological characteristics of parabolic sand dunes, such as orientation, shape and size, are largely controlled by the strength and frequency of onshore winds and the directional variability of winds. Sand transport resultants computed using the Fryberger method were found to be closely aligned to dune orientations in most cases. This study provides some insight into the processes and variables affecting spatial variation of coastal sand dune development in New Zealand but also highlights the need for more detailed geomorphic studies of coastal dunefields in New Zealand.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Beach morphology and sediments of the West Wellington coast, Wanganui to Paekakariki : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geography
    (Massey University, 1972) Gibbard, Ronald Graeme
    During the past two decades the coastal districts of New Zealand have received increasing attention, in terms of recreation, settlement, pollution and the evaluation of mineral deposits. This trend is clearly in evidence along the west Wellington coast, especially in relation to the pressure of a rapidly increasing population on coastal facilities. The region considered in this thesis as the west Wellington coast is shown in Figure 1. For the southern coastal section, recently-mooted development proposals include the offshore siting of a Jumbo Jet airport and the establishment of a marina complex, with accompanying breakwater, in the vicinity of Kapiti Island. This southern section has a documented history of incipient erosion since the 1930's, the consequences of which have been accentuated by widespread road, housing and property development on the foredunes. In recent months there has been renewed discussion on groyne and breakwater construction to protect these beaches.