EM 1110-2-1100 (Change 1)
31 Jul 03
SUBAQUEOUS
Existing, formed, or taking place under water; submerged
SUB-TIDAL BEACH
The part or the beach (where it exists) which extends from low water out to the approximate limit of storm erosion.
The latter is typically located at a maximum water depth of 8 to 10 meters and is often identifiable on surveys by a break in
the slope of the bed.
SUBCRITICAL FLOW
Flow for which the Froude number is less than unity; surface disturbances can travel upstream.
SUBDUCTION ZONE
Elongate region in which the sea floor slides beneath a continent or island arc.
SUBMARINE CANYON
V-shaped valleys that run across the CONTINENTAL SHELF and down the CONTINENTAL SLOPE.
SUBMERGENT COAST
A COAST in which formerly dry land has been recently drowned, either by land subsidence or a rise in sea level.
SUBORDINATE STATION
A tide or current station at which a short series of observations has been obtained, which is to be reduced by
comparison with simultaneous observations at another station having well-determined tidal or current constants.
SUBSIDENCE
Sinking or downwarping of a part of the earth's surface.
SUBMERGED LANDS ACT
United States federal legislation that granted to the coastal states federal rights to natural resources within 3 nautical
miles (up to 9 miles for Texas and the Gulf coast of Florida) of the COASTLINE).
SUBTIDAL
Below the low-water datum; thus permanently submerged.
SUPER-CRITICAL FLOW
Flow for which the Froude number is greater than unity; surface disturbances will not travel upstream.
SURF
(1) Collective term for BREAKERS. (2) The wave activity in the area between the shoreline and the outermost
limit of breakers. (3) In literature, the term surf usually refers to the breaking waves on shore and on reefs when accompanied
by a roaring noise caused by the larger waves breaking.
SURF BEAT
Irregular oscillations of the nearshore water level with periods on the order of several minutes.
SURF ZONE
The zone of wave action extending from the water line (which varies with tide, surge, set-up, etc.) out to the most
seaward point of the zone (breaker zone) at which waves approaching the coastline commence breaking, typically in water
depths of between 5 to 10 meters.
Appendix A Glossary of Coastal Terminology
A-77
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