GEOMORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE COASTAL AND MARINE AREA BETWEEN PRIMERA AND SEGUNDA ANGOSTURA, STRAIT OF MAGELLAN (CHILE)

A detailed geomorphological study of the Chilean coastal area of the S trait of Magellan aimed at the determination and description of differ ent coastal environments and related processes. The survey data have b een compiled in a map that outlines the influence of glacial history i n the coastal landscape development. Sea-bed characteristics such as b athymetry and sedimentology, together with information on tides, direc tion and magnitude of currents are also presented in the map. A subdiv ision of the coastal area was carried out dividing the coastline into 40 homogeneous segments, each described by 15 representative morpholog ical and physical variables. By means of multivariate analyses of the data matric, six coastal groups subdivision was obtained. Groups were reviewed and re-interpreted in order to highlight relationships betwee n coastal landforms and variables. Three factors fully describe the ma in coastal types and constraints. First factor groups the inherited co astal landforms, that are cliffs developed where ancient morainal depo sits heighten. Second factor represents the Rind-enhanced coastal land forms, where the combined action of tide and wind permits the developm ent of the highest coastal form variability. Third factor groups the t ide-controlled coastal landforms, that are well-specialized landforms, mainly tidal flats and marshes. The Factor I-II-III path defines incr easing coastal stability.