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Marine Processes

Marine processes are those associated with the action of waves. This includes erosion, transportation and deposition.

Erosion

Erosion refers to the wearing away of the land surface and removal of materials by river and seawater, ice and wind. There are four main processes of erosion along the coast. These are hydraulic action, abrasion and corrasion, attrition and solution.

Hydraulic action

Waves breaking at the foot of a cliff force air in cracks to be compressed. Loose rocks are dislodged and removed. When the wave retreats the compressed air rushes out of the crack and can further weaken faults in the cliff face.

Abrasion

Abrasion is the sandpaper effect of loose rocks being scraped along bare rock. It often smooths and polishes the rock.

Corrasion

Corrasion is when rock caught up in surging waves are hurled at a cliff face – causing it to be chipped and gauged.

Attrition

Attrition is when rocks carried by seawater collide – gradually making them smaller and smoother.

Transportation

Transportation is the movement of sediment by the action of waves.

Processes of coastal transportation

Processes of coastal transportation

Traction

Traction involves the rolling of large and heavy rocks along the seabed.

Saltation

Saltation involves smaller material being bounced along the seabed. The video below shows material being bounced along a beach by waves.

Suspension

Suspension is when lighter sediment is suspended within the water. This often discolours the water close to the shore.

Solution

Sediment that has dissolved completely will be transported in solution.

The video below shows a range of different types of fluvial transportation. Which do you recognise?

Deposition

Deposition occurs when energy levels decrease in environments such as bays and estuaries. Where deposition occurs on the inside of a spit a salt marsh can form.

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Coasts menu

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Sub-aerial

Find out about sub-aerial processes including weathering.

Sediment cells

Find out about sediment cells and closed systems.

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