Morphological, hydrodynamic and sedimentary characteristics of the Northeastern coast of Cuba

Abstract

The absence of the marine platform, the presence of emerged and submerged terraces with tide notches on its front face and the increase in the number of beaches constituted by terrigenous sands towards the east end of this coastal stretch are the main geomorphological features that characterize the northeastern coast of Cuba. The lower rocky terrace is the best represented type of coastline on the Northeastern coast, exposed to the direct action of ocean waves. Considering the inland coast, mangroves are the most abundant type of coast and occupy most of the bays on this coastal stretch. From the hydrodynamic point of view, the highest wave heights of the north coast of Cuba take place there. In addition, the biggest tidal range of the Cuban archipelago is recorded. From the sedimentary point of view, these beaches have a greater amount of fragments of mollusks and corals and fewer fragments of calcareous algae than the other beaches of the Cuban archipelago. These beaches, unlike the other beaches of Cuba, show cumulative processes at the end of winter and early spring, with a maximum accumulation in April, while eroding at the beginning of autumn, with maximum values in the months of September and October. Keywords: Coastal characteristic, beach, genesis sand, Northeastern coast of Cuba.