Stability Analyses to Predict Tidal Sedimentary Patterns

The results on the prediction of (i) the conditions leading to the appearance of periodic 1 sedimentary patterns forced by tidal currents on the sea bottom and (ii) the geometri2 cal characteristics of these bottom forms are summarized. Attention is focused on the 3 results obtained by means of stability analyses, even though a few results obtained by 4 means of numerical simulations are also mentioned. The characteristics of ripples, 5 dunes, sand waves, long bed waves and sand banks are described along with the 6 mechanisms that originate these different sedimentary patterns.