Coastal Processes

• What are coastal processes?

  An interaction between the sea, land and weather which can cause the landscape to change shape and appearance 
• What are the three main coastal processes?

  • Erosion
  • Transportation
  • Deposition
• What is hydraulic action in coasts?

  The force of waves compresses air in cracks, causing the rock to break apart
• What is abrasion in coasts?

  Waves throw rocks and sand against cliffs, wearing them down
• What is attrition in coasts?

  Rocks and pebbles collide, breaking into smaller, smoother pieces
• What is corrosion (solution) in coasts?

  Acidic seawater dissolves certain rocks like limestone and chalk
• What is longshore drift?

  The movement of sediment along the coast in a zigzag pattern due to waves hitting the shore at an angle
• What are the four types of transportation in coasts?

  • Traction – Large rocks roll along the seabed.
  • Saltation – Small pebbles bounce along the seabed.
  • Suspension – Fine material like sand is carried in the water.
  • Solution – Dissolved materials are transported in the water.
• What is deposition in coasts?

  When waves lose energy and drop sediment, forming landforms like beaches, spits, and bars.
• Where does deposition usually occur in coasts?

  In low-energy areas like bays where waves slow down
• Why does deposition occur in a coast?

  Deposition occurs on a coast when waves lose energy and can no longer carry sediment, causing it to be dropped