Constructive waves
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Weak swash, strong backwash.
Find out more about destructive waves.
Swash
Find out more about waves.
Constructive and destructive waves.
Find out more about constructive waves and destructive waves.
Constructive wave
Find out more about constructive waves.
The wearing away of land by the sea.
Find out more about coastal erosion.
Corrosion/solution is when certain types of cliff erode as a result of weak acids in the sea.
Find out more about the processes of coastal erosion.
Attrition is when waves cause rocks and pebbles to bump into each other and break up.
Find out more about coastal erosion.
Abrasion occurs as breaking waves, concentrated between the high and low watermarks, which contain sand and larger fragments wear away the base of a cliff or headland. It is commonly known as the sandpaper effect. This process is particularly common in high-energy storm conditions.
Find out more about coastal erosion.
Waves hitting the base of a cliff causes leads to air compression in cracks, joints and folds in bedding planes, causing repeated changes in air pressure. As air rushes out of the crack when the wave retreats, it leads to an explosive effect as pressure is released. This process is supported further by the weakening effect of weathering. The material breaks off cliffs, sometimes in huge chunks. This process is known as hydraulic action.
Find out more about coastal erosion.
Chemical weathering is the breakdown of rock through changing its chemical composition.
Find out more about weathering.
Salt weathering is when salt spray from the sea gets into a crack in a rock. It may evaporate and crystallise, putting pressure on the surrounding rock and weakening the structure.
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When rainwater hits rock it decomposes it or eats it away. This is known as carbonation. This occurs when slightly acidic (carbonic) rain or seawater comes into contact with sedimentary rock, such as limestone or chalk, it causes it to dissolve. A chemical reaction occurs between the acidic water and the calcium carbonate and forms calcium bicarbonate. This is soluble and is carried away in solution. Carbonation weathering occurs in warm, wet conditions.
Find out more about weathering.
Freeze-thaw weathering occurs when rocks are porous (contain holes) or permeable (allow water to pass through). Water enters the rock and freezes. The ice expands by around 9%. This causes pressure on the rock until it cracks. Repeated freeze-thaw can cause the rock to break up.
Find out more about weathering.
Weathering is the breakdown of rock in situ by the action of rainwater, extremes of temperature, and biological activity.
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Beach material is suspended and carried by the waves.
Find out more about coastal tansportation.
Material is dissolved and carried by the water.
Find out more about coastal transportation.
Traction – large pebbles and boulders are rolled along the seafloor.
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Wave energy reduces leading to material being deposited.
Find out more about coastal deposition.
Coastal transportation involves material being transported by the sea being deposited or dropped.
Find out more about coastal deposition.
