3.2.11

Spits, Bars & Sand Dunes

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Bars, Spits and Sand Dunes

In addition to beaches, the deposition of sediment can create bars, spits, and sand dunes.

Spits

Spits

  • Spits are piles of sand that create sheltered zones on the coast.
  • When the coast changes direction at an estuary (where a river meets the sea), longshore drift continues to move sediment across the inlet.
  • The river doesn't let the longshore drift completely join to the coast on the other side because the river has the energy to move the sediment.
  • Spits are the long fingers of sand sticking out from one side on a coastline. They often have marshland forming in the sheltered zone.
Bars

Bars

  • A bar is created when a spit grows across a bay.
  • Lagoons (saltwater pool separated from the ocean) are often created behind a bar.
Sand dunes

Sand dunes

  • Sand dunes are hills of sand created at the back of a beach.
  • The wind blows deposited sand up the beach. Objects like wood, driftwood or human rubbish can block the wind, leading to hills of sand.
  • The hills of sand can allow plants and vegetation to grow.
  • This leads to more sand building up.
  • Older sand dunes (hills) are called mature dunes.
  • Newer sand dunes are called embryo dunes.
Jump to other topics
1

The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1

Natural Hazards

1.2

Tectonic Hazards

1.3

Weather Hazards

1.4

Climate Change

2

The Living World

2.1

Ecosystems

2.2

Tropical Rainforests

2.3

Hot Deserts

2.4

Tundra & Polar Environments

3

Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1

The UK Physical Landscape

3.2

Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3

River Landscapes in the UK

3.4

Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4

Urban Issues & Challenges

5

The Changing Economic World

5.1

The Changing Economic World

5.2

Economic Development in the UK

6

The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1

Resource Management

6.2

Food

6.3

Water

6.4

Energy

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