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Backshore
in landward of the high tide shore line
Beach drift
aka longshore drift, is the movement of sediment along a beach parallel to the shoreline.
Breakwater
a barrier built out into a body of water to protect a coast or harbor from the force of waves.
Ebb current
the flow of water that moves away from the shore as the tide recedes.
Groin
a long, narrow structure built out into the water from a beach in order to prevent beach erosion or to trap and accumulate sand
Neap Tide
lowest tides; when the Sun and Moon are at right angles
Sea Stack
remnants of offshore erosion
Spit
is a ridge of sand that projects land into the mouth of an adjacent bay
Tidal Current
horizontal movement of water that occurs as a result of the changing tides
Tombolo
is a ridge of sand that connects an island to the mainland
Wavelength
the horizontal distance between a trough and a crest
Barrier Island
long sandbars NOT connected to onshore beaches (Ex: Galveston)
Beach Face
the sloping part of the beach that extends from the high water mark (where the waves reach during high tide) down to the low water mark (where the waves reach during low tide).
Breakers
swells become higher as they approach the shoreline close to shore, and the waves evolve into sharp crested features
Emergent Coast
is caused by uplift or sea level fall and is characterized by exposed wave-cut cliffs and platforms
Jetty
constructed at entrances to rivers and harbors
Nearshore
lies between low tide shoreline and the point where waves break at low tide
Seawall
coastal defense structure designed to protect shorelines from the impact of waves, storm surges, and coastal erosion.
Spring Tide
Highest tides, when Earth, Moon and Sun are aligned
Tidal Delta
created by currents that flow through inlets in response to tidal cycles and or wind patterns
Wave-cut cliff
surf cuts into cliffs
Wave period
the time interval between the passage of two successive crests
Baymouth Bar
Coast
the broader region where land meets the ocean, sea, or another large body of water
Estuary
Longshore Current
horizontal water currents that move parallel to the shoreline.
Offshore Zone
occurs seaward of the coast
Shore
strip of land that lies along the edge of an ocean, sea, lake, or river
Submergent Coast
A submergent coastline results from coastal subsidence or sea level rise; Characterized by irregular shorelines and drowned river mouths (estuaries)
Tidal Flats
Are the muddy and sandy areas that lie above, and are exposed, at low tide but are flooded at high tide
Wave-cut platform
is a flat or gently sloping area found at the base of a coastal cliff or headland, formed by the erosive action of waves
Wave refraction
As waves approach the beach, the rows of waves bend in a direction more parallel to the shore. Causes the waves to align almost parallel to beach
Beach
a landform along the shoreline of an ocean, sea, lake, or river that consists of loose particles such as sand, gravel, pebbles, or cobbles
Berm
are relatively flat platforms that mark the change in slope of beach
Coastline
is the boundary or interface between land and the ocean or sea
Foreshore
is the area exposed at low tide and flooded at high tide
Marine Terrace
a flat or gently sloping area along the coast that was once submerged under the sea but has since been uplifted or exposed due to changes in sea level or tectonic activity
Sea Arch
is a natural rock formation that occurs when waves erode through a headland or coastal cliff, creating a tunnel-like opening.
Shoreline
Land meets the sea along broad regions known as coasts; line where the water surface intersects the shore; shapes and sculptured through the actions of waves and tides
Surf Zone
the area of the shoreline where waves break and interact with the beach.
Tide
The sea rises and falls twice daily along many coastlines: high tide and low tide
Wave Height
the vertical distance between a trough and a crest
Beach nourishment
adding sand
