Predicting offshore tidal bedforms using stability methods

The interaction of tidal currents with a cohesionless sea bottom gives rise to the appearance of periodic morphological patterns (bedforms) characterized by wavelengths that range from tens of centimeters to hundreds of kilometers. The main characteristics of these bedforms are described and the different physically based models to predict their characteristics are reviewed. Ripples, dunes, sand waves, long bed waves and sand banks are considered and, whenever possible, empirical formulae to predict their geometrical characteristics are suggested.