A spit is an extended stretch of beach material that sticks out to sea and is joined to the mainland at one end.

Aerial view of Spurn Point from the mouth of the Humber Estuary

Find out more about landforms of coastal deposition.

Beach nourishment, managed retreat, dune regeneration, brief reprofiling.

Find out more about soft engineering techniques.

The bands of soft rock, such as sand and clay, erode more quickly than those of more resistant rock, such as chalk. This leaves a section of land jutting out into the sea called a headland. The areas where the soft rock has eroded away, next to the headland, are called bays.

Find out more about bays and headlands.

Abrasion occurs as breaking waves, concentrated between the high and low watermarks, which contain sand and larger fragments wear away the base of a cliff or headland. It is commonly known as the sandpaper effect. This process is particularly common in high-energy storm conditions.

Find out more about coastal erosion.

Beaches, sand dunes, spits and bars.

Find out more about landforms of coastal deposition.