Fetch, wind speed and wind duration.

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Destructive waves

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Swash

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Weak swash, strong backwash.

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Constructive waves

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

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

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Corrosion/solution is when certain types of cliff erode as a result of weak acids in the sea.

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

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Salt weathering is when salt spray from the sea gets into a crack in a rock. It may evaporate and crystallise, putting pressure on the surrounding rock and weakening the structure.

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Beach material is suspended and carried by the waves.

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The movement of sediment and beach material through wave action.

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Wave energy reduces leading to material being deposited.

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Longshore drift

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Traction – large pebbles and boulders are rolled along the seafloor.

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