Geology, geomorphology, oceanography and meteorology of Malindi Bay
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Author
Abuodha, J.Publication Editor
Hoorweg, J.Date
1998
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Malindi Bay covers a shoreline of about 45 km between Ras Ngomeni Peninsula in the north and Leopard point in the south, encompassing townships of Malindi and Mambrui and the Sabaki river estuary. In the 1980's a number of geological investigations were carried in the Kenya south coast area, which has similar rock outcrops as in Malindi area. However, a few geological studies have been conducted in Malindi area mainly involving geological mapping. Data on the Sabaki river flow discharge rates has been collected by Ministry of Water Development from the 1960's. In addition, other pertinent information on the historical changes of the coastline over the past 40 years are obtainable from a series of Arial photographs during 1954 and 1994. The coastal belt of Kenya experiences an equatorial Monsoon climate with Southeast Trades prevailing from April to October and Northeast Monsoon from November to March. Wind speeds seldom exceed 14 ms super(-1) during both monsoon seasons. The coastal area has a humid climate with average rainfall of 1058 mm year super(-1) with two rainy seasons respectively referred to as the long and short rains. Monthly variations in air temperature from normal are slight, and closely related to the sea water temperature. The continental slope is generally characterised by gentle gradients of about 1:20 to the shelf edge and shows dissected appearance due to sub-aerial fluvial action. Sediment distribution off the Kenya coast in general shows that sand appears to be the principal constituent of the shelf floor, with mud dominant in the deeper water.Page Range
pp.17-39Title of Parent Book or Report
Dunes, groundwater, mangroves and birdlife in coastal KenyaPublisher or University
Acts PressSeries : Nr
Coastal Ecology Series;No. 4Collections