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Geophysical insight on the formation of a barrier-beach-dune system: The case of the central sector of the Kyparissiakos Gulf coastal zone (Western Greece)

Citation:

Alexopoulos, J. D., Poulos, S. E., Giannopoulos, I. - K., Gkosios, V., Dilalos, S., & Ghionis, G. (2025). Geophysical insight on the formation of a barrier-beach-dune system: The case of the central sector of the Kyparissiakos Gulf coastal zone (Western Greece). Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C, 139, 103912.

Abstract:

The present study investigates the formation and development of a coastal barrier associated with the recent evolution of the beach/dune system of the Kyparissiakos Gulf (SE Ionian Sea, central Mediterranean Sea) during the late phase of the Holocene (Flandrian) transgression. The study is based on the application of combined geophysical (ERT: Electrical Resistivity Tomography; GPR: Ground Penetrating Radar) and geotechnical (CPT: Cone Penetration Test; boreholes) techniques, supported by sedimentological (granulometric, mineralogical, palaeontological) analyses. According to the interpretation of the collected and processed data, the formation of the coastal barrier started during the transition between the fast and slow phase of the sea level rise (i.e. 6-7 ka BP), which coincides with an increased fluvial sediment inflow induced by the prevailing wetter climatic conditions (8000 - 3700 BP). The development of the coastal barrier most likely involves a progradational beach, associated with the formation of dunes that follow aggradational phases of coastal barrier and beach evolution. Based on 14C dating, the formation of the two younger dune ridges took place no earlier than 350 and 950 cal yr BP, respectively.

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