Rates of floodplain accretion in a tropical island river system impacted by cyclones and large floods

Auteurs :
TERRY, J.P.
GARIMELLA, S.
KOSTASCHUK, R.A.

Description :
In this study, the caesium-137 method was used to examine the recent historical sedimentation rate on the floodplain of the Wainimala River, in the basin of the Rewa River, the largest fluvial system in Fiji and the tropical South Pacific Islands. Cs 137 activity in the floodplain stratigraphy showed a well-defined profile, with a clear peak at 115 cm depth. The high accretion rate over the last ca. 45 years is explained by the high frequency of tropical cyclones near Fiji (40 since 1970) which can produce extreme rainfalls and large magnitude floods.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Geomorphology (Amsterdam), issn : 0169-555X, 2002, vol. 42, n°. 3-4, p. 171-182, nombre de pages : 12, Collation : Illustration, Références bibliographiques : 39 ref.

Date :
2002

Editeur :
Pays édition : Pays-Bas, Amsterdam, Elsevier