Coastal areas, like cliffs and beaches, are shaped mostly by three main processes: erosion, weathering, and deposition. Let’s break these down.

Erosion

• Waves push by the wind hit the shoreline all the time. Because of this, some places lose about 0.5 meters of land each year.
• Hard rocks, like cliffs, wear down slowly, but softer rocks, such as limestone, can break apart quickly.

Weathering

• Weathering is when rocks break down. This can happen due to freeze-thaw cycles. When water freezes in cracks, it can make the rocks break apart.
• Chemical weathering is another way rocks can weaken. For example, salt from the ocean can harm rocks. In coastal areas, salt levels can be very high, up to about 35 grams of salt per liter of water.

Deposition

• Beaches are created when materials from eroded cliffs are moved along the shore. This happens through a process called longshore drift, where sand and sediment are pushed sideways by the waves.
• Sand on most beaches is made up of about 90% quartz, though it can look different depending on the area.
• Coastal features, like spits, occur when sand gets deposited at river mouths or along the coast. These changes can affect local wildlife and environments.

Together, these processes shape our coastlines and affect both nature and how people live nearby.