WAVE EROSION

How do waves form?

• By wind that blows across the water’s surface.

• The wind causes water particles to move up and down as a wave goes by. The water particles themselves don’t move forward.

• Think of it as wind blowing tall grass in the field. The grass moves back and forth but doesn’t move from its place.

Erosion by Wave

• Waves erode the land by impact and abrasion.

• Large waves hit the rocks along the shore causing them t to break apart.

• In shallow water, it picks up sediments and then when the wave hits the land it causes the sediments to wear away rock like sandpaper.

Landforms created by Wave Erosion

• Many features can be formed from waves as they hit up against a rocky coast.

• It starts wearing away and form many different types of features

• Examples:– Sea caves– Cliffs– Sea stacks– Sea Arches– Pillars

Deposits by Waves

• Waves shape the coast through both erosion and deposition.

• Deposition occurs when waves slow down and the water drops its sediments.

• Features formed from wave deposition– Beaches– Longshore drift– Spit

Deposition Formations

• A beach is an area of wave washed sediments along a coast.

• A longshore drift the sediments moves down the beach with the current.

• A spit is a beach that projects like a finger out into the water.