Coastal Geography Terms (0460)

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Abrasion

Back

The wearing away of cliffs by sediment flung by breaking waves. See corrasion.

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Arch

Back

Wave-eroded passage through a small headland, beginning as a cave and gradually widening and deepening until it cuts through.

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Aspect

Back

The direction a cliff faces. Facing the direction of the prevailing wind can lead to high rates of cliff erosion.

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Attrition

Back

Erosion caused when rocks and boulders transported by waves bump into each other and break into smaller pieces.

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Backwash

Back

The return of water to the sea after waves break on a beach.

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Bar

Back

When a spit grows across a bay, eventually enclosing the bay to create a lagoon.

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Bays

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Found between headlands, where there are alternating outcrops of resistant and less resistant rock. Waves erode the softer rock to form bays.

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Beach

Back

Temporary deposition of sand and shingle along the coastline. Without its beach, a coast is vulnerable to erosion.

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Beach Depletion

Back

The loss of beach material, e.g., by offshore dredging of shingle banks.

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Beach Replenishment

Back

The addition of new material to a beach, either naturally or artificially.