The ECORS-Truc Vert’08 nearshore field experiment: presentation of a three-dimensional morphologic system in a macro-tidal environment during consecutive extreme storm conditions

Abstract

A large multi-institutional nearshore field experiment was conducted at Truc Vert, on the Atlantic coast of France in early 2008. Truc Vert'08 was designed to measure beach change on a long, sandy stretch of coast without engineering works with emphasis on large winter waves (offshore significant wave height up to 8 m), a threedimensional morphology, and macro-tidal conditions. Nearshore wave transformation, circulation and bathymetric changes involve coupled processes at many spatial and temporal scales thus implying the need to improve our knowledge for the full spectrum of scales to achieve a comprehensive view of the natural system. This experiment is unique when compared with existing experiments because of the simultaneous investigation of processes at different Dynamics (2011) 61:2073-2098 DOI 10.1007 scales, both spatially (from ripples to sand banks) and temporally (from single swash events to several spring-neap tidal cycles, including a major storm event). The purpose of this paper is to provide background information on the experiment by providing detailed presentation of the instrument layout and snapshots of preliminary results.

Beach response to a sequence of extreme storms

“…1) in March to April 2008 (Senechal et al, 2011a). The beach is a typical representation of the south Atlantic coastline of France, which is characterized by an undisturbed sandy shoreline and by well-developed aeolian dunes .…”

Transport of larvae and detritus across the surf zone of a steep reflective pocket beach

“…Several comprehensive field studies have been performed at dissipative beaches, such as Torrey Pines, CA (Seymour 1989), Duck, NC (Elgar et al 2001), Monterey Bay, CA (MacMahan et al 2005), and Truc Vert, France (Sénéchal et al 2011). Recent studies have focused on understanding the cross-shore transport of material in the surf zone (Imperial Beach and Monterey Bay, CA).…”

Variabilité longitudinale du jet de rive en présence de conditions dissipatives

“…Les données ont été acquises dans le cadre de la campagne internationale ECORS-Truc Vert 2008(SENECHAL et al, 2011b. Le forçage au large a été obtenu à partir d'une bouée de houle directionnelle Datawell déployée au large de la zone d'étude par 20 m de fond environ en collaboration avec le SHOM.…”