humanities test

Swash

The forward movement of water up the beach after a wave breaks, carrying sand and sediments onto the shore.

Backwash

The water flowing back into the sea after a wave retreats, pulling sand and sediments away from the beach.

Erosion

The process by which waves wear away cliffs and shorelines.

Deposition

The process by which waves build up beaches and sand dunes.

Longshore drift

The transportation of sand along the coast due to angled wave action.

Constructive waves

Waves that add sand to a beach due to strong swash and weak backwash.

Zigzag pattern

The movement pattern of sand along the shore caused by angled waves.

Hardness

A factor affecting erosion rate; soft rocks erode faster than hard rocks.

Exposure

The impact of constant waves, wind, and chemical weathering that speeds up erosion.

Coastal protection

Structures like sea walls and dunes designed to stop erosion.