Four types of coastal erosion Flashcards
What are the four types of coastal erosion?
Abrasion/Corrasion - When a wave hits the coast, it throws sediment against the cliff face. These break off small bits of the cliff and cause undercutting.
Attrition - Particles being transported by the sea hit against each other, making them more rounded.
Solution - Seawater can dissolve rocks from the seabed/cliffs. Effective on limestone coasts, create caves. Also known as corrosion.
Hydraulic Action - The sea physically washes away soft rocks like boulder clay. Strength of the sea. Air gets stuck in cracks in rocks as the water bashes against the rock. Compressed air can widen the cracks eventually leading to a break off from the main cliff.
Two factors that speed up coastal erosion.
Type of rock: hard rock types are less likely to erode
Weather: Stormy weather can cause destructive waves which cause hydraulic action and abrasion to occur.
