Physical processes

• Two types of weathering:

  • Physical weathering
  • Chemical weathering
• Three types of mass movement:

  • Rockfalls - fragments of rock broken down by mechanical weathering break off a cliff face
  • Landslides - when blocks of rock slide along bedding planes
  • Landslump - when heavy, saturated soil suddenly slips
• Two types of waves:

  • Constructive waves
  • Destructive waves
• Constructive waves:

  • Strong swash
  • Weak backwash
  • Less frequent
  • Deposit material
  • Long, gently sloping beaches
• Destructive waves

  • Weak swash
  • Strong backwash
  • More frequent
  • Crashes downwards
  • Erodes material
  • Steep beaches
• Hydraulic action - The force of waves hitting the cliff, the waves also compress air into cracks in the cliff, forcing it apart
• Abrasion - Waves throw, rocks and pebbles at the cliff
• solution - slightly acidic seawater dissolves the cliff face
• Attrition - Rocks within the water knock each other becoming smaller and rounder