2.1.2

Corrosion & Corrasion

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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.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

Jump to other topics

1Paper 1 - Changing River Environnments

2Paper 1 - Changing Coastal Environments

3Paper 1 - Changing Ecosystems

4Paper 1 - Tectonic Hazards

5Paper 1 - Climate Change

6Paper 2 - Changing Populations

7Paper 2 - Changing Towns & Cities

8Paper 2 - Development

9Paper 2 - Changing Economies

10Paper 2 - Resource Provision

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