Resumo

MENDEZ, Williams  e  CARTAYA, Scarlet. PHYSICAL AND NATURAL FACTORS CONTROLLING DEPOSITIONAL PROCESS IN A HUMID CARIBBEAN TROPICAL COASTLINE: SAUCA SALT MINES, FALCÓN STATE, VENEZUELA. Investigación y Postgrado [online]. 2003, vol.18, n.2, pp.11-41. ISSN 1316-0087.

The purpose of this study is to characterize and analyze physical and natural factors controlling sedimentation process in the sedimentary complex of barrier island - coastal lagoon salt mine of Sauca. The study of these factors (climate, superficial drainage, tides, surge and coastal currents) is based on the analysis of preexisting data, measures and calculations on topographic charts (scale 1:25.000) and field measures and observations. The area of interest covers a coastal region with a semi-humid to semi-arid climate. The dimension of micro-basins drainage system in the salt mine of Sauca is limited, with short watercourses, ephemeral regimes and low-density drainage. The tides oscillate on a mixed regime and at micro-tidal range with very low impact on the area’s morphodynamic. The surge concentrates high energy with modifications along Boca de Sauca bay determining granulometric variations on the sediments of the barrier island along its longitudinal axis. The coastal current causes an effective transportation along the coastal line from east to west.

Palavras-chave : depositional process; morphodynamic; sedimentary environments; coastal lagoon; Falcón; Venezuela.