Marine Processes and Coastal Erosion

Introduction

• Location: Water line, observing marine processes and coastal features
• Importance: Understanding the power of the sea on the coastline
• Observations: Calm sea today, but potential for significant impact during storms

Processes of Coastal Erosion

1. Hydraulic Action (Quarrying)

• Definition: Waves crash against the base of the cliff, forcing air and water into cracks
• Effects: Cracks expand over time, leading to rock detachment
• Example: Flamborough Head, with visible vertical joints and horizontal bedding planes
• Process:
  • Massive waves force air and water into cracks
  • Repeated wave action enlarges cracks
  • Pieces of rock eventually detach from the cliff

2. Abrasion

• Definition: Detached rock pieces become ammunition for the sea
• Process:
  • Waves hurl rock pieces at the base of the cliff
  • Erodes the cliff face
  • Rocks knock into each other, breaking into smaller fragments

3. Attrition

• Definition: Process of rocks becoming smaller, smoother, and more rounded
• Process:
  • Rock fragments break off due to colliding with each other
  • Over time, rocks smoothen and round off

4. Solution

• Definition: Soluble particles are dissolved by seawater
• Process:
  • Acids in seawater help dissolve calcium carbonate in chalk rocks

Conclusion

• Understanding these processes is crucial to comprehending coastline changes
• These processes show the power and impact of the sea on coastal landscapes