GEOMOHPHOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF THE SOUTHEASTERN COAST OF SRI LANKA

Abstract

The southeastern coast of Sri Lanka is characterized by extensive depositional beaches, barriers, sand dunes, chains of lagoons and estuaries, while changing river outfalls and fossilized coastal landforms corresponding to undated earlier stages complicate matters. The erosional beaches along the west coast have been studied for more than three decades, but little attention has been paid to the landforms of the depositional environment of the southeastern coast. This study concentrates on this latter environment and has three main objectives: a. Classification of the coastal landforms of the southeastern coast, using appropriate geomorphological criteria and aerospace survey methods, with special reference to the relative chronology of development, and compilation of a geomorphological map of the southeastern coast. b. Elaboration of the geomorphological mapping by field checking, sediment analysis in the laboratory and statistical treatment. c. Analysis of the geomorphological evolution, emphasizing the evolutionary stages and landform development throughout these stages. The main theme of the thesis - the evolution of the southeast coast of Sri Lanka - is approached through intermediate objectives a and b.