Dynamics of Accumulative Coasts in Enclosed Bays of Antarctica (with an Example of the Key Area of the South Georgia Microcontinent)

Abstract

The object of direct study is the accumulative coast of King Edward Bay on the island of South Georgia of the Antarctic microcontinent of the same name. Neotectonic uplift of the island is causing accumulative coastal processes in the conjugate zone between land and sea in areas with relative tectonic subsidence. Geological and geomorphological studies and mathematical modeling of the coastal zone lithodynamics make it possible to identify the main factors of its current state and substantiate the forecast for development in the 21st century. The choice of object is dictated by the demand for different information with respect to its association with the area of active international tourism and the possibility of obtaining original geological and geomorphological material under the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology’s Antarctic research program.