Skagen Spit. A general model for spit development. Phase I

With the object to develop a field analogue and establish a geological course sites for the use of Norsk Hydro, GEUS and Norsk Hydro have entered into a contract on a study of the Skagen Spit, the northernmost tip of Denmark.

The spit has developed during a relative short period from about 8.000 y. B.P. until today and is still prograding. Consequently, the Skagen Spit is excellent for studying the development of a coarse grained spit in three dimensions, the processes in relation to relative sea level changes and even the recent coastal sediment transport in time and space.

The study is divided into three phases: 1) a preliminary study based on existing data; 2) preparation of an analogue-model of Skagen Spit including field work and a proposal for a field course and 3) a field course in 1998.

The present report of phase 1 includes a preliminary study of the development of the Skagen Spit based on available published and unpublished data and a description of a general model of a coarse grained spit development. Furthermore, a programme for phase 2 is suggested at the end of the report.