Longshore drift

• What is longshore drift?

  The transport of sand and pebbles along the coast by waves
• How do waves approach the beach?

  At directions similar to that from the prevailing wind, NOT at right angles
• When a wave breaks what does the swash do?

  Carries material up the beach at the same angle which the wave approached the shore
• What does the back swash do?

  Returns material straight down the beach at right angles to the water
• Why does backswash return material at right angles to the water?

  Because of gravity
• What motion is material moved along the shore due to long shore drift?

  In zig zag motion