Morphological changes of the beaches of Goa

Abstract

Morphological variations of 2 of the major beaches of Goa have been found to be cyclic over a period of approximately 1 yr. These beaches attain their maximum sediment storage around April/May. They are then subjected to rapid rates of erosion with the onset of the southwest monsoon wind and wave conditions followed by slower rates during the subsequent period of the monsoon. This continues till August when the beaches have minimum sediment storage. The wave climates during the postmonsoon and winter months help the beaches in recovering gradually after passing through a secondary phase of erosion associated closely with the onset of the northeast monsoon, during November/December.