Network of links including
transportation and services
Prevailing
wind
The dominant
wind in an
area
Crest
The top or peak
of a wave
Swash
Movement of
waves up a
beach
Backwash
Movement of water
down the beach
Subaerial
processes
Processes that attack the
face and top of a cliff
Marine
erosion
The wearing away of
rocks by the action
of the sea
Weathering
The breaking down of
rocks by the action of the
weather, plants or chemical
action.
Landform
A physical feature
that has been shaped
by erosion/ weathering
Headland
Where the land juts
out into the sea
Slipping
plane
Line of weakness, often
where a previous
landslide has occured
A multi-use
area
Coastal areas
provide economic,
environmental and
recreational
opportunities, which
is why increasing
numbers of people
wish to live on or
near the coast
Business development
in coastal areas creates
jobs opportunities
The physical
environment provides an
attractive place to live
Economic
development
Dubai
Dubai has reinvested most of its
profits from its thriving oil industry
into coastal tourism
Recent development has seen 11km coastal strip of
international hotels, resorts and marinas as well as
the largest indoor ski dome in the world
The development of
industry, trade links
and tourism has
created a wide range
of opportunities which
encourage people to
live in theses areas
More recently developing countries have
realised that the coast is an invaluable
resource and can boost the local
economy through encouraging tourism
Waves
Constructive waves
Long, low
waves that
spill onto the
beach. Strong
swash, limited
backwash
BIG swash
small backwash
Beach builds up gradually
Destructive waves
Short, steep
waves that
plunge onto the
beach with
force. Quite
strong swash,
but much
stronger
backwash
BIG backwash
small swash
Beach and
cliffs are
eroded
Erosion
Proccesses
Abrasion (corrasion)
During storm conditions waves pick up
sand and pebbles. As waves break, this
material is hurled at the cliff face. This
'sandblasting' effect is the most powerful
source of coastal erosion in the UK.
Attrition
Sand and pebbles are
constantly colliding with each
other as they are moved
by waves breaking on a
beach. This action wears
away the beach material,
making it increasingly smaller
and more rounded.
Hydraulic
Action
The sheer force of
waves breaking
against a cliff
causes parts of the
cliff to break away.
Also, as waves hit a
cliff face air is
compressed into
cracks, blasting away
fragments of rock.