2.1.2
Corrosion & Corrasion
Coastal Erosion Processes: Corrosion and Corrasion
Coastal Erosion Processes: Corrosion and Corrasion
Corrosion and corrasion erode coasts by chemical reactions and mechanical scraping, shaping coastal landscapes through the action of waves and materials.


Coastal erosion processes
Coastal erosion processes
- Coastal erosion changes shorelines by wearing away rock and sediment.
- The main physical processes in coastal erosion include corrosion and corrasion.
- Coastal erosion shapes coastal landscapes and affects human activity.
- Understanding these processes helps explain coastal features and hazards.


Corrosion
Corrosion
- Corrosion, or solution, involves chemical action on rock by seawater.
- Coastal erosion by corrosion occurs when acids in seawater dissolve minerals.
- Lime-rich rocks like chalk and limestone are especially affected by corrosion.
- Corrosion weakens rocks, making them more vulnerable to other erosion processes.


How corrosion occurs in coastal erosion
How corrosion occurs in coastal erosion
- Seawater contains weak acids like carbonic acid formed from CO2 and water.
- These acids react with calcium carbonate in rocks to dissolve them slowly.
- Coastal erosion by corrosion often forms features like caves and rock pools.
- Corrosion is continuous but slow, acting alongside other coastal erosion processes.


Corrasion
Corrasion
- Corrasion, or abrasion, is the mechanical scraping of the coast by rock fragments.
- Coastal erosion by corrasion occurs when waves hurl pebbles and sand against cliffs.
- Coastal erosion from corrasion wears down rock surfaces and cliff faces physically.
- Corrasion shapes cliffs and beach profiles by grinding down exposed surfaces.


Role of corrosion and corrasion
Role of corrosion and corrasion
- Coastal erosion is more effective when corrosion weakens rocks first.
- After corrosion weakens rocks, corrasion then removes these weakened rock particles, deepening erosion.
- Coastal erosion shapes landforms like cliffs, caves, arches, and stacks by these combined actions.
- Both corrosion and corrasion are key components of the physical processes shaping coasts.
1Paper 1 - Changing River Environnments
1.1Characteristics of Rivers
1.2River Landforms
1.3Rivers: Opportunities & Hazards
1.4The Bradshaw Model
1.5The Drainage Basin & the Water Cycle
1.6Processes Operating in a Drainage Basin
2Paper 1 - Changing Coastal Environments
2.1Physical Processes that Shape the Coast
2.1.1Processes of Erosion
2.1.2Corrosion & Corrasion
2.1.3Transportation
2.1.4Deposition
2.1.5Longshore Drift
2.1.6Types of Waves
2.1.7Case Study: The Holderness Coast (UK)
2.1.8Case Study: The Holderness Coast - Management
2.1.9Case Study: The Holderness Coast - Defences
2.1.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - Swash & Backwash
2.2Landforms
2.3Opportunities & Hazards
2.4Tropical Storms
2.4.1Tropical Storms
2.4.2Structure of Tropical Storms
2.4.3Causes of Tropical Storms
2.4.4Effects of Tropical Storms
2.4.5Hazards of Tropical Storms
2.4.6Case Study: Hurricane Katrina - Effects
2.4.7Case Study: Hurricane Katrina - Responses
2.4.8Case Study: Cyclone Nargis - Responses
2.4.9Case Study: Cyclone Nargis
2.4.10Mathematical Skills: Weather Hazards
2.4.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Rainfall
3Paper 1 - Changing Ecosystems
3.1Antarctic
3.2Threats to the Antarctic
3.3Tropical Rainforest
3.4Tropical Rainforest: Threats
4Paper 1 - Tectonic Hazards
4.1The Structure of the Earth
4.2The Processes of Earthquakes & Volcanoes
4.2.1Earthquakes: Processes & Characteristics
4.2.2Earthquake Hazards
4.2.3Types of Volcano
4.2.4Classification & Features
4.2.5Volcanic Hazards
4.2.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Lava
4.2.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Location of Volcanoes
4.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Focus vs Epicentre
4.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Sliding Plates
4.3The Impacts of Tectonic Hazards
5Paper 1 - Climate Change
5.1Natural & Human Causes of Climate Change
5.2Impacts of Climate Change
5.3Responses to Climate Change
6Paper 2 - Changing Populations
6.1Populations Grow & Decline
6.2Population Structures Over Time
7Paper 2 - Changing Towns & Cities
7.1Where People Live
7.2Opportunities & Challenges of Urbanisation
8Paper 2 - Development
8.1Measuring Development
8.2Uneven Development
8.3Sustainable Development
9Paper 2 - Changing Economies
9.1Changing Employment Structures
9.2Globalisation
9.3Tourism
9.3.1Factors Leading to the Growth of Tourism
9.3.2The Butler Model
9.3.3Benefits of Tourism - Economic
9.3.4Benefits of Tourism - Social, Cultural & Env.
9.3.5Problems with Tourism - Economic
9.3.6Problems of Tourism - Social, Cultural & Env.
9.3.7Managing Tourism - Sustainability & Ecotourism
9.3.8Managing Tourism - Quotas & Tourism Hubs
9.3.9Case Study: Blackpool (UK)
9.3.10Mathematical Skills: Changing Economic World
10Paper 2 - Resource Provision
10.1Food
10.2Patterns of Food Supply & Demand
10.3Challenges of Food Supply
10.4Energy
10.5Patterns of Energy Supply & Demand
Jump to other topics
1Paper 1 - Changing River Environnments
1.1Characteristics of Rivers
1.2River Landforms
1.3Rivers: Opportunities & Hazards
1.4The Bradshaw Model
1.5The Drainage Basin & the Water Cycle
1.6Processes Operating in a Drainage Basin
2Paper 1 - Changing Coastal Environments
2.1Physical Processes that Shape the Coast
2.1.1Processes of Erosion
2.1.2Corrosion & Corrasion
2.1.3Transportation
2.1.4Deposition
2.1.5Longshore Drift
2.1.6Types of Waves
2.1.7Case Study: The Holderness Coast (UK)
2.1.8Case Study: The Holderness Coast - Management
2.1.9Case Study: The Holderness Coast - Defences
2.1.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - Swash & Backwash
2.2Landforms
2.3Opportunities & Hazards
2.4Tropical Storms
2.4.1Tropical Storms
2.4.2Structure of Tropical Storms
2.4.3Causes of Tropical Storms
2.4.4Effects of Tropical Storms
2.4.5Hazards of Tropical Storms
2.4.6Case Study: Hurricane Katrina - Effects
2.4.7Case Study: Hurricane Katrina - Responses
2.4.8Case Study: Cyclone Nargis - Responses
2.4.9Case Study: Cyclone Nargis
2.4.10Mathematical Skills: Weather Hazards
2.4.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Rainfall
3Paper 1 - Changing Ecosystems
3.1Antarctic
3.2Threats to the Antarctic
3.3Tropical Rainforest
3.4Tropical Rainforest: Threats
4Paper 1 - Tectonic Hazards
4.1The Structure of the Earth
4.2The Processes of Earthquakes & Volcanoes
4.2.1Earthquakes: Processes & Characteristics
4.2.2Earthquake Hazards
4.2.3Types of Volcano
4.2.4Classification & Features
4.2.5Volcanic Hazards
4.2.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Lava
4.2.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Location of Volcanoes
4.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Focus vs Epicentre
4.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Sliding Plates
4.3The Impacts of Tectonic Hazards
5Paper 1 - Climate Change
5.1Natural & Human Causes of Climate Change
5.2Impacts of Climate Change
5.3Responses to Climate Change
6Paper 2 - Changing Populations
6.1Populations Grow & Decline
6.2Population Structures Over Time
7Paper 2 - Changing Towns & Cities
7.1Where People Live
7.2Opportunities & Challenges of Urbanisation
8Paper 2 - Development
8.1Measuring Development
8.2Uneven Development
8.3Sustainable Development
9Paper 2 - Changing Economies
9.1Changing Employment Structures
9.2Globalisation
9.3Tourism
9.3.1Factors Leading to the Growth of Tourism
9.3.2The Butler Model
9.3.3Benefits of Tourism - Economic
9.3.4Benefits of Tourism - Social, Cultural & Env.
9.3.5Problems with Tourism - Economic
9.3.6Problems of Tourism - Social, Cultural & Env.
9.3.7Managing Tourism - Sustainability & Ecotourism
9.3.8Managing Tourism - Quotas & Tourism Hubs
9.3.9Case Study: Blackpool (UK)
9.3.10Mathematical Skills: Changing Economic World
10Paper 2 - Resource Provision
10.1Food
10.2Patterns of Food Supply & Demand
10.3Challenges of Food Supply
10.4Energy
10.5Patterns of Energy Supply & Demand
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