Coasts

Longshore drift

the natural process where waves move sand and pebbles along a beach in a zigzag pattern. Depend on direction of the wind

Attrition

When rocks and pebbles smash into each other and break down into smaller pieces

Abrasion

the process of rubbing or scraping away the surface of a material.

Hydraulic Action

the mechanical process where the sheer force of moving water breaks away rock and sediment from riverbeds, banks, or coastal cliffs

What is a coast?

an area of land situated near the border. Where the land meets the sea

What does a deconstructive wave do?

Strong backwash and weak swash

Steep sloping beach

-Stronger backwash drags beach material back out to sea and erodes the beach

constructive wave

Strong swash and weak backwash

materials are deposited and build on the beach

creates gentle sloping beach

What is a sand spit?

a narrow, extended ridge of sand or shingle that projects from the mainland into a body of water

what is a fetch?

area of ocean or lake surface over which the wind blows in an essentially constant direction, thus generating waves.

what is a headland?

cliffs that stick out into the sea and are surrounded by water on three sides.

what is erosion

when natural materials are worn away and transported by natural forces

why do people want to live near the coast

for economic opportunity, milder weather, and transportation access