erosion processes

• What is hydraulic action?


  The sheer force of the water as it crashes against a coastline
• (HYDRAULIC ACTION) What happens when a wave advances?

  Air can be trapped and compressed, either in joints in the rock or between the breaking wave and the cliff. When the wave RETREATS, the compressed air expands
• What is corrosion?


  When transported material is hurled at the base of the cliff
• What is wave quarrying?


  the action of waves breaking against unconsolidated material such as sands and gravels

  • waves scoop out loose material
• What does corrosion do to a cliff face?


  hurls sediment at a cliff face
• what does abrasion do?


  sediment is dragged up and down or across the shoreline, eroding and smoothing rocky surfaces
• What is abrasion particularly important for?

  the formation of a wave cut platform