Controls on the occurrence of various types of rip current along the Mazandaran Coast –Southern Caspian Sea

Abstract

Mazandaran coast, can be classified into three wave-dominated beach types. Moderate to high rips stability (and risk) of transient and topographic rips are generated in eastern and central coasts, respectively, which are a product of dissipative and intermediate modes, wave hydrodynamics, sediment conditions and beach morphology. Generation of morphologically controlled rips in central Mazandaran can result in a permanent threat because of a fixed alongshore non-uniform bathymetry. Transient rips in eastern coasts is a product of dissipative mode with flat bathymetry. However, a uniform and steep beach bottom causes strong Backwash along reflective western coast. On the average, all Mazandaran coasts maintain their beach states seasonally with only small changes in morphodynamic conditions.