Seebides

Seebides is a term used in coastal geography and geology to describe a series of parallel, raised beach ridges formed by storm-driven sediment deposition along shorelines. The term is applied in regional studies of temperate littoral zones, including parts of the North Sea and Baltic coasts, though its usage varies among researchers. A seebide (plural seebides) refers to an individual ridge within a coastal sequence, typically composed of well-sorted sand and shell debris with a relatively smooth crest and a recessed trough.

Formation and interpretation: Seebides develop when powerful, frequent wave action during storms reworks shoreline sediments, constructing ridges at elevations higher than the current beach. Over multiple storm cycles, successive ridges accumulate, recording paleogeographic changes such as sea-level fluctuations, sediment supply, and shoreline retreat or advance. In some regions, seebides are overlain by vegetation or later dune systems, becoming preserved in the stratigraphic record.

Distribution and research value: Seebides are documented in quaternary coastal deposits where older shorelines are preserved behind current barriers. They are used to infer past storm intensity, coastal dynamics, and human impacts on sediment budgets. Dating methods, including radiocarbon and luminescence techniques, help establish chronology for shoreline evolution.

See also: beach ridge, coastal dune, wave-built terrace, sea-level change.