Marine Erosion Processes Flashcards
Name the 6 marine erosion processes?
Wave quarrying. Hydraulic action. Abrasion. Attrition. Solution.
What is wave pounding?
The mass of water in a wave is very powerful.
Steep waves have a lot of energy as they break against the cliff foot.
They can release shock waves with a from of up to 30 tonnes per metre squared.
What is wave quarrying?
Action of the waves breaking against unconsolidated material such as sands/gravel.
What is hydraulic action?
Water being forced into a joint traps air.
Force of the water compresses the air causing pressure to build up on the surrounding rock.
This process continuonlly occurs leading to the weakening then breaking of rock pieces.
What can hydraulic action also cause?
Cavitation.
What is abrasion?
Pebbles, stones and smaller sized particles moved by the waves and then hurled against the cliffs by waves.
The greater the wave, the larger the load.
What is the most effective from of coastal erosion?
Abrasion.
What is attrition?
Breaking down of already eroded rocks, as well as smoothing and rounding them.
