Backwash

Find out more about waves.

Constructive and destructive waves.

Find out more about constructive waves and destructive waves.

Weak swash, strong backwash.

Find out more about destructive waves.

Swash

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A wave is a disturbance on the surface of the sea or ocean, in the form of a moving ridge or swell.

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Corrasion, abrasion, hydraulic action, attrition and corrosion/solution.

Find out more about the processes of coastal erosion.

Corrasion is when destructive waves pick up beach material (e.g. pebbles) and hurl them at the base of a cliff. Over time this can loosen cliff material forming a wave-cut notch.

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.

The wearing away of land by the sea.

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Attrition is when waves cause rocks and pebbles to bump into each other and break up.

Find out more about coastal erosion.

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.

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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Recently weathered rock can be seen at the foot of chalk and limestone cliffs and is easily identified because it is angular.

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Mechanical weathering is the breakdown of rock without changing its chemical structure (composition).

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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.

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Any three from:

• Waves enter an area of shallow water/waves enter a sheltered area, eg a cove or bay
• There is little wind
• A river or estuary flows into the sea reducing wave energy
• There is a good supply of material and the amount of material being transported is greater than the wave energy can transport.

Find out more about coastal deposition.

The movement of sediment and beach material through wave action.

Find out more about coastal transportation.

Beach material is suspended and carried by the waves.

Find out more about coastal tansportation.

Wave energy reduces leading to material being deposited.

Find out more about coastal deposition.

Traction – large pebbles and boulders are rolled along the seafloor.

Find out more about coastal transportation.