Waves erode, transport, and deposit material along coastlines. Erosion occurs through hydraulic action, corrosion, corrasion, abrasion, and attrition as waves impact cliff bases. Transportation involves the movement of eroded materials in the sea and along the coast by waves, such as through longshore drift. Deposition happens when waves with less energy drop the eroded materials, creating landforms like beaches and spits.

1. The waves at work
Unit 4.2

2. What do the waves do?
1.Erode (erosion)
2.Transport (transportation)
3.Deposit (deposition)

3. Erosion
1. Hydraulic action - When waves hit the base of a cliff air is
compressed into cracks. When the wave retreats, the air
rushes out of the gap. Often this causes cliff material to
break away.
2. Corrosion or Solution - when certain types of cliff erode as
a result of weak acids in the sea.
3. Corrasion - when waves pick up beach material (e.g.
pebbles) and hurl them at the base of a cliff.
4. Abrasion (known as sand paper effect) - occurs as breaking
waves which contain sand and larger fragments erode the
shoreline or headland.
5. Attrition - when waves cause rocks and pebbles to bump
into each other and break up.

4. Transportation
Transportation is the movement of
material in the sea and along the coast by
waves. The movement of material along
the coast is called longshore drift.

5. Longshore drift
Longshore drift is the movement of material along the shore
by wave action.

6. Deposition
Deposition is when eroded material is
dropped by constructive waves. It
happens because wave have less energy.
Deposition creates a range of landforms.
For example: beach, spit.