Abstract
Man is an important geological agent. This paper documents a unique case of the dominating role of man in coastal evolution and hydrological changes in North Jiangsu province. Owing to human breaching of dikes on the Lower Yellow River in 1128, a large anthropogenic delta — the Abandoned Yellow River Delta was formed. Its rapid growth and quick decay over a period of 400 years further illustrates the overwhelming influence of human activity in triggering coastal changes. Man's diversion of the Yellow River to Jiangsu has also resulted in a dramatic change of the drainage pattern and hydrology of North Jiagsu. The Huai-He, a major river in central China, was changed from an independent river draining into the sea in the 11th century, to a tributary of the Yangtze river since the 17th century. At the same time, Hongze lake was enlarged from a small lake to one of the largest fresh water lakes in the country.
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Ren, Me. Human impact on coastal landform and sedimentation. GeoJournal 28, 443–448 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00273113
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00273113