Theory 89/Coastal & Estuary/Tidal flats
Flats Follow Range and Supply
The claim
Tidal flat morphology is set by the ratio of tidal range to sediment supply, so a mesotidal coast with low supply erodes while a macrotidal one with low supply builds.
01Mechanism
Flats accrete where sediment settles during slack water; the ratio determines whether accumulation outpaces scour.
02Prediction
Morphology should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Morphology tracking tidal range would remove supply.