coastal zone keywords

intertidal- high tide covered by water, low tide- exposed land

backshore- never covered by water

what determines the wave size?
the distance the wave travels and the strength of the wind.
(THE FETCH)

SWASH= water runs up the beach/ shore
BACKWASH=water returns to sea.

constructive wave-
smaller in height= less energy
strong swash- pushes material up the beach. weak back wash- little erosion.

destructive waves-
very tall- a lot of energy
weak swash- little beach building
strong backwash- pulls sand/shingle down beach= starves beach

air gets forced into rocks from the water (strong waves)
rocks eventually - explode/break/fall off

EROSION
hydraulic power- the sheer power of waves
abrasion- sand paper effect

weathering
PHYSICAL- water freezes in cracks, the ice expands, rock shatters.
CHEMICAL- weak acid in rain, dissolves limestone+chalk

mass movement- a movement of material down slope