对于长江三角洲发育的研究,1917年海登斯坦曾根据长江输沙量的分析,推断三角洲伸展速度为每60年1哩(即每37年l公里)。1919年丁文江根据县治设置及海塘兴建的历史,得出每69年伸展一哩的结论(即每43年1公里)。

Some tentative conclusions may be drawn with regard to the development of the Yangtze estuary, based on a priliminary analysis of sea charts and hydrological data, as well as on field researches in recent years. 1. On the broad continental shelf of the East China Sea, which is about 90-140m below sea-level at the outer edge, lies 2 ancient submarine deltas one above the other off the Yangtze mouth. They are not coinciding in areal position and a southward displacement seemed to have occurred during the growth of the younger one. Submarine sand-banks may be depicted, at intervals, 50 m deep and 200km off the coast.