Dynamics of offshore tidal sand ridges, a review

Abstract

Tidal sand ridges are large-scale rhythmic bedforms that are observed on the offshore parts of shelf seas where sand is abundantly available. Spacings between successive ridges are several kilometres, they evolve on centennial time scales, and their crests are cyclonically rotated with respect to the direction of the principal tidal currents. Here, an overview will be presented of the current knowledge about these ridges with respect to their manifestation in diferent seas, their observed behaviour, the basic mechanisms that explain their initial formation and their evolution towards fnite heights and the ability to model them. It will be shown that both tides, waves and changes in mean sea level have a profound impact on the evolution of the ridges.