Geomorphic Secondary Coastal Compartments

The Secondary Coastal Sediment Compartment data set represents a sub-regional scale (1:100 000 - 1:25 000) compartmentalisation of the Australian coastal zone into spatial units within (and between) which sediment movement processes are considered to be significant at scales relevant to coastal management. The Primary and accompanying Secondary Coastal Sediment Compartment data sets were created by a panel of coastal science experts who developed a series of broader scale data sets (Coastal Realms, Regions and Divisions) in order to hierarchically subdivide the coastal zone on the basis of key environmental attributes. Once the regional (1:250 000) scale was reached expert knowledge of coastal geomorphology and processes was used to further refine the sub-division and create both the Primary and Secondary Sediment Compartment data sets. Environmental factors determining the occurrence and extents of these compartments include major geological structures, major geomorphic process boundaries, orientation of the coastline and recurring patterns of landform and geology – these attributes are given in priority order below.1 - Gross lithological/geological changes (e.g. transition from sedimentary to igneous rocks).2 - Geomorphic (topographic) features characterising a compartment boundary (often bedrock-controlled) (e.g. peninsulas, headlands, cliffs).3 - Dominant landform types (e.g. large cuspate foreland, tombolos and extensive sandy beaches versus headland-bound pocket beaches).4 - Changes in the orientation (aspect) of the shoreline.