Morphological changes of the ebb-tidal delta of the eastern Scheldt during recent decades

Abstract

The ebb-tidal delta of the Eastern Scheldt consists of a complicated system of shifting channels and shoals. From 1959 onwards detailed soundings of the area have been carried out almost yearly and thus the most important morphological changes in the last 25 years have been established. An attempt has been made to trace the impact of 'Delta-project' constructions which have already been completed upon the trend of the morphological evolution. Attention is paid to implications of this investigation for the study of fossil examples of ebb-tidal deltas. A main conclusion is that a rather small increase in tidal discharge at the entrance of the Eastern Scheldt basin resulted in a remarkable and rapid expansion of the ebb-tidal delta.