Dynamics of coastal landscapes in the north-east of Northern island of Novaya Zemlya archipelago

Abstract

The results of field studies on the Northern island of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago (partly within the boundaries of the national park «Russian Arctic») are discussed. This area stands out among the rest of the archipelago and the mainland coast in the western part of the Kara sea. A feature of the coastal landscape in the north-east of the Northern island constitute the elements of the «old banks», including: beaches not affected by currently action of waves; ancient depositional ridge; marginal ledge closest to the sea, covered by loose sediments. The formation of these natural systems is caused by the shift of the coastline towards the sea as a result of relative rise of tectonic blocks in this part of the archipelago. Positive tectonic movements are also expressed in the shallow waters of the lagoons and estuaries and the lengthening of the river channels due to erosion of the forms of coastal accumulation.