![]() ![]() Limestone cliff faces, which have a moderately high pH, are particularly affected in this way. As the sea pounds cliff faces it also uses the scree from other wave actions to batter and break off pieces of rock from higher up the cliff face which can be used for this same wave action and attrition.Ĭorrosion or solution/chemical weathering occurs when the sea's pH (anything below pH 7.0) corrodes rocks on a cliff face. Abrasion Ībrasion, also known as corrasion, occurs when waves break on cliff faces and slowly erode it. Solution is the process in which acids contained in sea water will dissolve some types of rock such as chalk or limestone. Scree also collides with the base of the cliff face, chipping small pieces of rock from the cliff or have a corrasion (abrasion) effect, similar to sandpapering. The splinters fall to the sea bed where they are subjected to further wave action.Īttrition occurs when waves cause loose pieces of rock debris ( scree) to collide with each other, grinding and chipping each other, progressively becoming smaller, smoother and rounder. Over time, the cracks can grow, sometimes forming a cave. This exerts pressure on the surrounding rock, and can progressively splinter and remove pieces. Hydraulic action occurs when waves striking a cliff face compress air in cracks on the cliff face. The definition of erosion is grinding and wearing away of rock surfaces through the mechanical action of other rock or sand particles.Īccording to the IPCC, sea level rise caused by climate change will increase coastal erosion worldwide, significantly changing the coasts and low-lying coastal areas. This effect helps to erode, smooth and polish rocks. The blowing of millions of sharp sand grains creates a sandblasting effect. Also erosion commonly happens in areas where there are strong winds, loose sand, and soft rocks. The softer areas fill up with sediment eroded from hard areas, and rock formations are eroded away. Softer areas become eroded much faster than harder ones, which typically result in landforms such as tunnels, bridges, columns, and pillars. ![]() On non-rocky coasts, coastal erosion results in rock formations in areas where the coastline contains rock layers or fracture zones with varying resistance to erosion. Coastal erosion may be caused by hydraulic action, abrasion, impact and corrosion by wind and water, and other forces, natural or unnatural. ![]() The landward retreat of the shoreline can be measured and described over a temporal scale of tides, seasons, and other short-term cyclic processes.
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