Geomorphology and dynamics of a coastal transgressive dune system, central California

ABSTRACT The Callendar dunes are located within the Santa Maria dune complex in south-central California and have been studied repeatedly since the pioneering work of Bowen and Inman in the 1960's. Previous conceptual models of the system’s Holocene evolution relate variations in dune morphologies to changes in sediment supply and sea level. In the years since their studies, conceptual frameworks of coastal and continental transgressive dune systems provide useful avenues for re-visiting the morphodynamic history of the Callendar dunes. Our study presents grain size and dune spacing data collected by Tchakerian and Mulligan in 1981, while working under Orme as graduate assistants. These data, when considered in light of the more recent conceptual frameworks mentioned above, suggest that the Callendar dunes may exhibit some elements of self-organization. With this in mind, we apply a conceptual model of coastal transgressive dune systems to help elucidate some of the historical morphodynamics influencing the modern arrangement of morphologies at the Callendar dunes.