EROSION AND SILTING-UP AND LAND-MAKING RATES OF THE MODERN YELLOW RIVER DELTA COAST

This paper deals with the development evolution of the modern Yellow River delta and tries to predict the erosion-silting rates for its different coastal sections. In June 1996, the Yellow River's terminal course artificially turned eastwards to empty into the sea and then the 11th lobe of the modern Yellow River delta began to form. This course change may mark the beginning of the 3rd subdelta formation. As a result of that, the Yellow River delta advances towards east by north with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd subdeltas arranging in succession. Coast zone in the deltaic area and nearby area can be divided into 7 different sections according to their different erosion or deposition rates: relatively stable section from the Dakou River to the Shunjiang Stream, weakly retreating section from the Shunjiang Stream to the Tiaohe River mouth, strongly retreating section from the Tiaohe River mouth to station 106, artificially stable section due to stone dam protection from station 106 to Gudong Oilfield, strong deposition section from Gudong Oilfield to Dawenliu Haipu, weakly deposition section from Dawenliu Haipu to the Zimai Stream mouth, and stable section from the Zimai Stream mouth to the Jiaolai River mouth. It is predicted that the erosion and deposition situations of the sections will nearly remain the same in 10 years, but retreating and silting-up rates will tend to become slower gradually. Human activities have an evident influence on the changes of the coastline.