Coastal Landforms – Anatomy of a Sea Waves

Definition of Coastal Landforms

Coasts change a lot, sometimes in just a year or even less. Coastal activities are some of the most active geological actions. The way the land and the sea floor look, along with the movement of waves, influences how the coast shapes up. It can either move closer to the sea (emerging) or go back towards the land (submerging)....

Formation of Coastal Landforms

Landform Formation Process Cliffs and Wave-cut Platforms Formed by the erosion of rock by waves; wave action at the base of cliffs creates platforms. Sea Arches and Stacks Arches form from erosion of headlands by waves; stacks form when arches collapse. Caves Created by wave-driven erosion of weaker points in cliffs. Beaches Accumulations of sand and pebbles deposited by waves along the shoreline. Spits and Bars Spits form from the deposition of sand by longshore drift; bars form when spits connect two headlands, trapping a lagoon. Dunes Wind transports and deposits sand from beaches inland, forming mounds or ridges. Barrier Islands Long, narrow islands formed from the deposition of sand or sediment parallel to the coast. Coral Reefs Form in warm waters from the accumulation of coral skeletons; include fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls. Atolls Ring-shaped reefs that form around submerged volcanic islands, with a central lagoon. Deltas Form at river mouths from the deposition of sediment as the river slows upon meeting a larger body of water. Estuaries Formed by the inundation of river valleys by sea level rise or land subsidence, mixing freshwater with saltwater. Fjords Created by deep glacial erosion below sea level; when glaciers retreat, sea water floods the valley, forming deep, narrow inlets....

Coastal Landforms – Formation of Sea Waves

Sea waves and tsunamis are the most powerful agents of marine erosion. Currents are relatively less impactful means of erosion but are important means of transportation. Tides are mainly agents of deposition....

Coastal Landforms – Anatomy of a Sea Waves

Here is the anatomy of a sea wave:...

Coastal Landforms – Types of Waves

There are two types of waves:...

Types of Coastal Landform

There are mainly two types of Coastal Landforms i.e. Erosional Coastal Landforms and Depositional Coastal Landforms. Some other Landforms types also include:...

Coastal Landforms Erosional

Coastal Feature Description Formation Chasms Narrow and deep indents on the coastline. Formed by alternating bands of hard and soft rocks on the sea-facing side. Bay Indents formed as soft rocks are worn away by wave action, leading to chasm widening. Chasm widens until it becomes a bay. Capes Hard rocks left in the sea, forming capes. – Sea Cliffs Steep rocky coasts rising almost vertically above the seawater. – Wave-cut Platforms Flat surface in front of a cliff formed as it gradually retreats due to continuous wave action. Formed by the retreat of a cliff over time. Cave Holes or hollows created at the base of a cliff as sea waves erode softer rocks quickly. Hollows enlarge over time to form sea caves. Arch Formed when two caves on either side of projected rock unite. – Stack Pillar-like structure formed on the coast when the roof of an arch collapses, leaving end sides standing. – Stump Height of a stack is reduced through further erosion, forming a stump. – Blow-hole/Gloup Holes in the cave roof created by continuous sea wave action, known as a blow hole or gloup. – Geo Long, narrow inlet developed as blowholes enlarge, and the cave roof collapses further. –...

Coastal Landforms Depositional

Coastal Feature Description Beaches Deposits of marine sediments like sand, shingles, and cobbles found on the seashore. Spits and Bars Spit: Low-lying ridge of sands and pebbles, with one end connected to the mainland and the other ending in the sea. Hook A bent spit. Bars Ridges of sand parallel to the coast, submerged features. Tombolo Bar extension connecting an island to the mainland or linking two islands. Example: Chesil Beach connecting Isle of Portland with the mainland in Dorset, England. Lagoons Enclosed seawater area between a bar and the coast. Examples: Chilka Lake on the Odisha coast and Pulicat Lake on the Andhra coast....

Features of Coastal Landforms

Here are some common features of coastal landforms:...

Factors Affecting the Formation of Coastal Landforms

Waves...

FAQs on Coastal Landforms

What is Rock Debris?...