Coasts

1. Introduction to Coasts
2. British Isles and Processes
3. Features of Erosion
4. Features of Deposition

1. Introduction to Coasts

Here, we look at an introduction to coasts. Click on the photographs below to view some interesting coastlines from around the world.

A New Ocean (1:33)

Ocean Waves Explained (2:01)

BBC Clip (2:14)

2. Coastlines and Processes

The British Isles has a coastline which amounts to 19,491 miles! This section looks at the processes of erosion and deposition that take place here.

Processes of Erosion at the Coastline

1. Hydraulic Action: Waves crash against a cliff and drive water under great pressure into cracks in the rock. This pressure squeezes the air and as the wave falls back the air expands explosively, loosening pieces of rock.

2. Corrasion: Corrasion (or abrasion) occurs when stones and pebbles are picked up by waves and thrown against the cliff, causing erosion.

3. Attrition: Rock fragments (stones and pebbles) hit against each other and so are reduced in size.

4. Solution: Salty sea water chemically dissolves rocks. This is most noticeable on chalk and limestone cliffs.