Constructive and destructive waves.

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Fetch, wind speed and wind duration.

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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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Waves are caused by the transfer of energy from the wind to the sea due to the friction of the wind on the water’s surface.

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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.

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.

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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.

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The wearing away of land by the sea.

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Coastal erosion is the wearing away of the land by the sea.

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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.

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

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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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Chemical weathering is the breakdown of rock through changing its chemical composition.

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Beach material is suspended and carried by the waves.

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

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Littoral drift

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The movement of sediment and beach material through wave action.

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Material is dissolved and carried by the water.

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