These are processes that happen on all beaches, but to varying degrees which means that no beach is identical.
Weathering
- Weathering- this is the breakdown of rock in situ
Split into mechanical, biological and chemical
Mechanical– this is split into freeze thaw, salt and wetting and drying.
- Freeze thaw weathering- this is when water is trapped inside the joints within the cliff face which then freeze in sub-zero overnight temperatures, becoming ice and expanding 10%. This exerts pressure on the cliff face which causes pieces to break off.
- Salt weathering- this is when sea water coats the cliff face which what’s the water evaporates leaves behind salt particles which crystalize exerting pressure on the cliff face.
- Wetting and Drying- this is a continual process of water evaporating from the cliff faces which reduces the integrity of the rock causing pieces to break off.
- Chemical weathering is when the sea water has a chemical reaction with a certain geology of rock like limestone. When the seawater reacts, it produces calcium carbonate as a by-product, from the limestone breaking down.
- Biological weathering– this is when halophytic plants roots forced their way into joints within the cliff face which causes pieces of rock to break off. Also, puffin birds with strong beaks may borrow into the cliff face to create nests which causes pieces of rock to break off and reduces the overall structural integrity.
Erosion
Erosion- This is the breakdown of rock using wave energy and wind.
- Wave quarrying-where the high energy waves hit cliffaces which breaks loosened rock and weakens its structural intergrity.
- Hydraulic action- this is when the waves are able to weaken and dislodge loose rock
- Cavitation- this is when the incoming waves push air into the cracks inside the cliff which increases the pressure, but when the wave retreats, the compressed air is realised suddenly and produces popping sound.
- Abrasion/ corrasion- this is when waves that carry pebbles are hurled at the cliff which breaks down the rock.
Mass Movement
Mass movement- this is the matter is under the force of gravity down a clifface.
- Rockfalls- when loose debris is dislodged from the top of the cliff.
- Rotational slumping- this is when water infiltrates into the soil which turns the soil into mud and losens its structural integrity causing it to slump.
- Soil creep- when soil has a high water content and is on a hillside, causes the soil to become heavier and under gravity will slide down creating terracetes which are ridges of soil which lie perpendicular to the downward force of gravity.
- Mudflows- where when there is an oversaturation of soil will lead to the soil to slide down.
Transportation
- Longshore drift – is when the prevailing wind approaches the incoming waves at an angle, which causes the waves to move up the beach I dangle as a carry settlement via traction, then it moves back down the beach as backwash in a perpendicular motion to the coastline. This causes the settlement to move in a zig zag motion across the beach
- Suspension is when fine sediment particles are carried by constructive waves.
- Traction is when waves move large boulders across the sea bed.
Deposition- this is when sediment is deposited via particular transportation method. one example deposition is called aeolian deposition.this is when sediment is deposited by the wind.
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