Coasts: Erosional Processes

Question 1

Hydraulic action

Answer 1

Force of water hitting the cliff and squeezing air into the cracks in rock

Heavily jointed sedimentary rocks are vulnerable

Often the only erosional process working on hard, pervious igneous rocks

Question 2

Attrition

Answer 2

Process of rocks hitting each other and breaking into smaller rocks

Question 3

Abrasion

Answer 3

Force of bits of rock carried in the water hitting against the cliff

Question 4

Corrosion

Answer 4

Chemical reaction between sea water and the minerals in rocks

Mainly affects limestone

(Not to be confused with carbonation, which is a chemical weathering process that occurs above water)