Coastal morphology; Southwest Great Abaco Island, Bahamas

An examination of a portion of Great Abaco Island. Bahamas, reveals that the coastal zone may be subdivided into two morphological units: barrier and lagoon complexes, and rock benches with boulder ramparts. The sand barriers, colonized by multistoried vegetation, are stratigraphically thin and are characterized by narrow coralline beaches and beach rock. The imbricate boulder ramparts adjacent to deeper water, reveal that, on occasion, high wave energy conditions occur. It is apparent that hurricanes and tropical storms are significant in modifying coastal southwest Great Abaco.