Geography - Coastal Landscapes in the UK

Erosion

The wearing away of rock by the action of waves

Hydraulic action

A type of erosion where the force of waves compresses air into cracks in cliffs

Abrasion

Erosion where rocks and pebbles are hurled by waves against cliffs

Attrition

A process where rocks and pebbles carried by waves collide

Solution (corrosion)

The chemical process of seawater dissolving soluble minerals in rock

Transportation

The movement of sediment along the coast by processes such as traction

Longshore drift

The zigzag movement of sediment along a coast caused by waves approaching at an angle and retreating perpendicularly

Deposition

The laying down of material carried by waves when the sea loses energy

Wave-cut platform

A gently sloping area of rock at the base of a cliff

Headland

A promontory of resistant rock that juts into the sea

Bay

A curved inlet of softer rock between two headlands

Cave

A hollow formed at the base of a cliff by erosion processes like hydraulic action and abrasion

Arch

A rock formation where a cave has been eroded through a headland

Stack

A tall

Stump

A short eroded remnant of a collapsed stack

Spit

A long narrow ridge of sand or shingle projecting into the sea, formed by longshore drift and deposition

Bar

A ridge of sand or shingle that connects two headlands

Tombolo

A landform where a spit connects the mainland to an island

Sand dunes

Hills of sand piled up by wind action and stabilized by vegetation like marram grass

Hard engineering

The use of artificial structures like sea walls

Soft engineering

Sustainable coastal management techniques that work with natural processes

Sea wall

A solid barrier built parallel to the coast to reflect wave energy and prevent erosion

Groynes

Wooden or stone structures built at right angles to the coast to trap sediment and reduce longshore drift

Rock armour (riprap)

Large boulders placed at the base of cliffs or sea walls to absorb wave energy and reduce erosion

Beach nourishment

Adding sand or shingle to a beach to increase its size and absorb wave energy

Managed retreat

Allowing low-value land to flood naturally

Gabions

Wire cages filled with rocks

Revetments

Sloped structures made of wood or concrete that absorb wave energy but allow water to pass through