Coast
when land meets sea
what causes waves?
friction of wind on surface of water
swash
when waves hit the beach
backwash
when the waves go back to sea
3 factors that affect size of waves
time, speed and distance of wind
fetch
distance between wave and shore that wind blows
high waves
destructive waves
strong backwash
destructive waves
long low waves
constructive waves
break 6-9 times per min
constructive waves
cause erosion on cliff face
destructive waves
break 11-15 times per min
destructive waves
weak backwash
constructive waves
can form beaches
constructive waves
geomorphology
study of how coastlines change
weathering
when things like water and living organisms attack rocks, causing breakage and rot.
sedimentary
type of hard rock less vulnerable to erosion
glacial tilt
soft material from glaciers, mixture of clay and boulders
subaerial erosion
weathering+ movement at top of cliff
hydraulic action
pressure of water pushes into cracks in rock, causing rock to split apart
abrasion
waves pick up rocks, throws against cliff face and smoothes cliff over time
corrosion (solution)
salt and/or chemicals in water dissolves rock over time.
attrition
small, angular rocks hit against each other, making them smaller+ rounder
longshore drift
a type of transportation
