Destructive waves

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Constructive wave

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Weak swash, strong backwash.

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Constructive and destructive waves.

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Swash

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

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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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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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Waves hitting the base of a cliff causes leads to air compression in cracks, joints and folds in bedding planes, causing repeated changes in air pressure. As air rushes out of the crack when the wave retreats, it leads to an explosive effect as pressure is released. This process is supported further by the weakening effect of weathering. The material breaks off cliffs, sometimes in huge chunks. This process is known as hydraulic action.

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The wearing away of land by the sea.

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

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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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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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Wave energy reduces leading to material being deposited.

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Longshore drift

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Littoral drift

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Material is dissolved and carried by the water.

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Coastal transportation involves material being transported by the sea being deposited or dropped.

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