Erosion, Transportation and deposition

• Erosion


  Wearing away of rock
• Erosional processes


  • Hydraulic action
  • Abrasion
  • Attrition
  • Solution
• Hydraulic action


  Force of water erodes rock, waves pound base of cliffs forcing water into cracks, air compresses and sudden release breaks down rock
• Abrasion


  Sand and shingle hurled at cliff base by sea, scratches and scrapes rock, more in storm conditions
• Attrition


  Material carried by sea is worn down as pebbles and rocks collide, sharp edges become rounded and smooth
• Solution


  Chemicals in water react with minerals in rocks to dissolve them, effective in limestone and chalk
• Waves have large fetch

  Higher rate of erosion
• Strong winds


  Higher rate of erosion
• Narrow beach


  Higher rate of erosion
• Soft rocks

  More likely to erode
• Rocks with many joints


  More likely to erode
• Transportation


  Movement of material by the sea
• Processes of transportation


  • Traction
  • Saltation
  • Suspension
  • Solution
• Traction


  Large rocks and boulders rolled along sea floor
• Saltation


  Small stones and pebbles bounced along sea floor
• Suspension


  Light material held in suspension just below sea surface
• Solution


  Minerals dissolved in water, tiny visible particles transported
• Longshore drift


  Movement of material along coastline in zigzag fashion due to waves hitting at oblique angle
• Deposition


  Where waves lose energy and drop sediment they were carrying, building up beach
• Shallow, sheltered areas


  Deposition occurs
• Large flat beach


  Deposition occurs
• Structures like groynes


  Deposition occurs