Mechanics of coastal forms

Recent studies of the morphodynamics of the coastal region are reviewed. Emphasis is given to idealized models that consider a morphological pattern in isolation from the others, to obtain indications on the physical processes controlling its appearance and development. In particular, attention focuses on morphodynamic stability analyses that allow understanding of the behavior of morphological features that are repetitive in both space and time. Indeed rhythmic patterns are commonly observed both in the continental shelf far from the coast and in the near-shore region.