There are five main processes which cause coastal erosion. These are corrasion, abrasion, hydraulic action, attrition and corrosion/solution. Corrasion is when waves pick up beach material (e.g. pebbles) and hurl them at the base of a cliff.

Destructive waves erode through four main processes; Hydraulic Action, Compression, Abrasion and Attrition.

Coastal erosion involves the breaking down and removal of material along a coastline by the movement of wind & water. It leads to the formation of many landforms and, combined with deposition, plays an important role in shaping the coastline.

coastal processes driven by winds, waves and currents began to sculpt the edges of the coastline. Other processes which influence the coastal environment include longshore drift, winds and wave erosion. These coastal processes can produce and expose some interesting features.

The four main types of river erosion are abrasion, attrition, hydraulic action and solution. Abrasion is the process of sediments wearing down the bedrock and the banks. Attrition is the collision between sediment particles that break into smaller and more rounded pebbles.

Coastal erosion is typically driven by the action of waves and currents, but also by mass wasting processes on slopes, and subsidence (particularly on muddy coasts). On coastal headlands, such processes can lead to undercutting of cliffs and steep slopes and contribute to mass wasting.

Coastal Processes

• Waves.
• Tides.
• Near-Shore Currents.
• Shoreline Weathering.
• Coastal Erosion.
• Sediment Transport and Deposition.
• Organic Activity.
• Changes in Sea Level.

Groynes and similar structures perpendicular to the shore.

Coastal Erosion Features Headlands and Bays Caves, Arches, Stacks and Sumps Cliffs and Wave-cut platforms

Coastal landforms created by erosion include headlands, bays and cliffs. Landforms created by deposition include spits, salt marshes and beaches.

Landforms of erosion Headlands and bays. Headlands and bays most commonly form along discordant coastlines. Cliffs and wave cut platforms. Cliffs are common features of coastal environments. Geos, Caves, blow holes, arches and stacks. Sedimentary rock, such as the chalk cliffs located at Flamborough, Holderness Coast, are more resistant to erosion.