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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The distance a wave has travelled.

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Constructive and destructive waves.

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Destructive waves

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Fetch, wind speed and wind duration.

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Corrosion/solution is when certain types of cliff erode as a result of weak acids in the sea.

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

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

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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.

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The wearing away of 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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Weathering is the breakdown of rock in situ by the action of rainwater, extremes of temperature, and biological activity.

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

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Wave energy reduces leading to material being deposited.

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The movement of sediment and beach material through wave action.

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Beach material is suspended and carried by the waves.

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Solution, suspension, saltation and traction.

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Coastal transportation involves material being transported by the sea being deposited or dropped.

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