Constructive wave

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Fetch, wind speed and wind duration.

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Weak swash, strong backwash.

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Waves are caused by the transfer of energy from the wind to the sea due to the friction of the wind on the water’s surface.

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Swash

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Attrition is when waves cause rocks and pebbles to bump into each other and break up.

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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.

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Corrasion, abrasion, hydraulic action, attrition and corrosion/solution.

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Coastal erosion is the wearing away of the land by the sea.

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Corrasion is when destructive waves pick up beach material (e.g. pebbles) and hurl them at the base of a cliff. Over time this can loosen cliff material forming a wave-cut notch.

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Recently weathered rock can be seen at the foot of chalk and limestone cliffs and is easily identified because it is angular.

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Mechanical weathering is the breakdown of rock without changing its chemical structure (composition).

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Chemical weathering is the breakdown of rock through changing its chemical composition.

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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.

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Freeze-thaw weathering occurs when rocks are porous (contain holes) or permeable (allow water to pass through). Water enters the rock and freezes. The ice expands by around 9%. This causes pressure on the rock until it cracks. Repeated freeze-thaw can cause the rock to break up.

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The movement of sediment and beach material through wave action.

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Solution, suspension, saltation and traction.

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Longshore drift

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Littoral drift

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Beach material is bounced along the seafloor.

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