El Paramo Transgressive Gravel Spit, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

The northeastern Atlantic coast of Tierra del Fuego is located in the extra-Andean lowlands of the island. This coast experiences a macrotidal regime, moderate energy waves and intense westerly winds. Extensive beaches and other littoral deposits are composed of gravel and coarse sand. This area has been free of ice since 1.8 Ma B.P. Glacigenic deposits were re-worked by littoral processes that formed beaches during sea level highstands of the Pleistocene. Peninsula El Paramo (El Paramo spit) is a 20 km-long gravel spit barrier that closes partially the San Sebastian Bay. It has formed during the last 6,000 years. The growth of the spit has taken place under limited sediment supply. Its elongation is the result of erosion and sediment recycling, resulting in a landward retreat.