Marine Terraces

relief forms of the coastal zone created by the sea when the sea level was lower or higher than it is at present. Depending on origin, three types are distinguished: aggradation, abrasion, and compound (aggradation-abrasion) terraces. Aggradation terraces are either ancient coastal accumulative forms or uplifted sections of the former coastal sea floor. Abrasion terraces are remnants of ancient sea floor surfaces leveled by abrasion that rise above the present sea level. The term “elevation of a marine terrace” refers to the absolute or relative elevation of its rear suture, which is a relict of the ancient shoreline. A comparison of the elevations of marine terraces by profile and strike along the coast makes it possible to judge the scale of recent tectonic movements that have deformed the elevation of ancient shorelines.