Change in the Rock Erosion Rate in the Upper Sublittoral Zone of the Murmansk Coast

Abstract

A five-year observation (2017–2022) of the abrasive erosion of rocks in the littoral and upper sublittoral zone of Dalnezelenetskaya Bay (Murmansk coast) was carried out During this period, a slow rock erosion rate was observed not only in the upper sublittoral zone, but also throughout the coastal littoral zone. It was revealed that the erosion rate of coarse-clastic material in 2017–2022 averaged 15 ± 3 µm g^–1. The greatest influence on the intensity of erosion was exerted by storms generated by easterly and southeasterly winds 7–12 m/s. It has been established that in 2021–2022, abrasive erosion of rocks in the sublittoral zone of the Murmansk coast intensified. Based on an analysis of hydrological, meteorological, and seismic data, it is suggested that activation of the abrasion process was caused by an increased number of storm periods; perhaps the tectonic activity of disjunctive structures on the coast played an important role in this. The data obtained indicate that changes in the temperature and salinity of the water mass in the bay have no significant effect on the abrasion rate.