Swash

Find out more about waves.

The beach is the area between the lowest spring tide level and the point reached by the storm waves in the highest tides.

Find out more about landforms of coastal deposition.

Beach material is bounced along the seafloor.

Find out more about coastal transportation.

When rainwater hits rock it decomposes it or eats it away. This is known as carbonation. This occurs when slightly acidic (carbonic) rain or seawater comes into contact with sedimentary rock, such as limestone or chalk, it causes it to dissolve. A chemical reaction occurs between the acidic water and the calcium carbonate and forms calcium bicarbonate. This is soluble and is carried away in solution. Carbonation weathering occurs in warm, wet conditions.

Find out more about weathering.

Beaches beyond the defences (downdrift) are starved of beach material due to it being trapped behind the terminal (last) groyne.

Find out more about hard engineering at the coast.