Coastal Erosion

Coastal Erosion

1. FEATURES

   • CAVE
   • ARCH
   • SEA STACK
   • STUMP

2. WAVE ACTION

   • HYDRAULIC ACTION
     • Air may become trapped in joints and cracks on a cliff face. When a wave breaks, the trapped air is compressed which weakens the cliff and causes erosion.
   • ATTRITION
     • Waves smash rocks and pebbles on the shore into each other, and they break and become smoother.
   • SOLUTION
     • Acids contained in sea water will dissolve some types of rock such as chalk or limestone
   • CORROSION
     • Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is dissolved into water turning it into a weak carbonic acid. Several rocks (e.g., Limestone) are vulnerable to this acidic water and will dissolve into it. The rate of dissolution is affected by the concentration of carbonates & other minerals in the water. As it increases, dissolution becomes slower.
   • ABRASION
     • Bits of rock and sand in waves grind down cliff surfaces like sandpaper.

Images and files in the map