csmr 

Reasons for attempting a morphological classification of the CSMRs

Why should we attempt this classification in the first place?

The shape, structure and the alignment of the CSMRs seem to have played a great role in influencing the pattern in which the approaching tsunami waves (and also the waves generated by Tropical Cyclones) had been deflected on the shores.

Provisional morphological classification of the Continental Shelf Micro-Regions (CSMRs)

From the last post, I now attempt at a classification of the continental shelf micro-regions (CSMRs) of South India and Sri Lanka based on their morphological characteristics.

I am able to discern 8 morphologically distinct CSMRs :

1. CSMR that is wide and jutting over its neighbouring MR and dips vertically at the shelf break : Palar estuary to Chennai stretch

2. CSMR that is relatively narrow and slopes gradually initially and dips vertically at the shelf break : Marakkanam to Palar estuary stretch

3. CSMR that dips steeply directly from the shoreline into the sea bed over a moderate distance : Poompuhar to Pondicherry stretch

4. CSMR that is moderately wide, flat and table top like initially and falls vertically at the shelf break later : Kodikkarai/Vedaranyam to Karaikal stretch, Point Pedro area, Tiruchendur to Cape Comorin stretch, Colachal to Ernakulam stretch

5. CSMR that is very wide, flat and table top like initially and falls vertically at the shelf break later : Cape Comorin to Colachal stretch

6. CSMR that is very narrow and flat initially and falls vertically at the shelf break later : Mullaitivu to Pottuvil stretch, South Srilanka coast, Galle to Puttalam stretch

7. CSMR that is moderately narrow and sloping intially and falls vertically at the shelf break later : Tuticorin to Tiruchendur stretch

8. CSMR that is flat, wide and table top like and does not have a shelf break zone : Northern end of Gulf of Mannar, Adam's Bridge ,Palk Bay and Palk Strait