Spits

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Spits

A linear beach that extends from the shore across a river estuary or along the coast - but doesn't join on to any other feature. It is recurved at its end depending on which is the most powerful current.

e.g. Spurn head, E. Yorkshire

A spit is unable to extend right across an estuary due to the force of the river current finding a route out to sea.

It is recurved at the end in the direction of the strongest of the two currents. in Spurn head's case, the North Sea current is more powerful than he River Humber current, so the spit curves in towards the estuary.

SPITS - BBC Bitesize

Spits are also created by deposition. A spit is an extended stretch of beach material that projects out to sea and is joined to the mainland at one end.Spits are formed where the prevailing wind blows at an angle to the coastline, resulting in longshore drift. An example of a spit is Spurn Head, found along the Holderness coast in Humberside.

The development of Spurn Head

Longshore drift moves material along the coastline.

A spit forms when the material is deposited.

Over time, the spit grows and develops a hook if wind direction changes further out.

Waves cannot get past a spit, which creates a sheltered area where silt is deposited and mud flats or salt marshes form.

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