1.2.3

Erosion

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Processes of Erosion

Erosion is the wearing away of rock by natural forces like waves or wind. The sea can build up a lot of energy and move quickly with a lot of force. This can make erosion happen faster. The types of erosion that affect coasts are:

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Hydraulic action

  • Hydraulic action is where the force of waves hits against a cliff face and causes rock to break off.
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Solution

  • Solution is where weak acids in seawater dissolve soluble rocks like chalk and limestone.
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Abrasion

  • Abrasion is where pieces of material are picked up by waves and hit or scrape against the sea bed or the side of a cliff.
  • This wears away the sea bed or cliff because the material acts like sandpaper.
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Attrition

  • Attrition is where different bits of material carried by waves in seawater hit against each other.
  • This causes them to break apart but also become smaller and more rounded.

Jump to other topics

1Physical Geography

1.1River Environments

1.2Coastal Environments

1.3Hazardous Environments - Tropical Cyclones

1.4Hazardous Environments - Earthquakes & Volcanoes

2Human Geography

3Global Issues

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