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- Storm processes and impacts in high energy geologically controlled barriersPublication . Kümmerer, Vincent; Ferreira, Óscar; Loureiro, CarlosCoastal barriers are dynamic sedimentary landforms exposed to the impacts of coastal storms, with storm-induced erosion and shoreline retreat controlled primarily by the hydrodynamic forcing and barrier morphology. When located in storm-dominated environments, coastal barriers are typically attuned to energetic wave forcing, but extreme events can still result in significant impacts. Moreover, in geologically controlled barrier systems, less studied non dynamic geological controls such as the underlying bedrock topography or sediment availability can also mediate the morphological response to storms. Aiming to investigate the relative importance of geological controls on storm processes and impacts in coastal barriers along high wave energy coasts, this study integrates morphological and hydrodynamic data, satellite imagery and process-based numerical modelling to explore storm response in the Outer Hebrides barriers in the northwest of Scotland. Improvements to storm identification methods, to assessment and morphodynamic modelling of morphological change at contemporary timescales, resulted in more comprehensive characterisation of storm processes and impacts in high energy, geologically controlled barriers. Results indicate that there is an increasing trend in storm duration in the western coast of Scotland, and that more than the intensity of wave forcing, water level has a critical influence on storm response in barriers with a wide and shallow nearshore profile. However, variation in foreshore configuration, particularly the presence and height of intertidal rock surfaces, can induce a shift in the primary control of storm response from the hydrodynamic forcing to the geological control. Thus, geological constraints are shown to be important controls on storm-induced morphological response in coastal barriers, leading to spatial variability in shoreline change. Overall, the results of this thesis outline that the incorporation of geological controls in storm impact assessments, particularly in the context of rising sea-levels, is critical to better understand storm-induced changes in coastal barriers on high-energy, geologically constrained coastal environments.