Coasts: Key Words

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms for coastal processes, waves, landforms, and management strategies.

Fetch

The distance the wind blows across open water. A longer fetch creates larger waves.

Swash

The movement of water up the beach after a wave breaks.

Backwash

The movement of water back down the beach towards the sea.

Constructive Waves

Gentle waves with strong swash and weak backwash that build beaches.

Destructive Waves

Powerful waves with weak swash and strong backwash that cause erosion.

Erosion

The wearing away of rock by waves and other natural forces.

Hydraulic Action

Waves force air into cracks in rocks, causing them to break apart.

Abrasion

Rocks carried by waves scrape against cliffs and wear them away.

Longshore Drift

The movement of sediment along the coast by waves approaching at an angle.

Headland

An area of hard rock that sticks out into the sea.

Bay

A curved inlet where softer rock has been eroded away.

Arch

A natural opening through a headland formed by erosion.

Stack

A pillar of rock left standing in the sea after an arch collapses.

Hard Engineering

Building man-made structures to protect the coast.

Soft Engineering

Working with natural processes to protect the coast.

Sea Wall

A concrete wall built to protect the coast from erosion and flooding.