Coastal Erosion Processes
Coastal erosion is a complex process influenced by various natural and human factors. The primary processes contributing to coastal erosion include:
- Wave Action: Waves generated by wind and other factors exert significant force on coastal landforms, eroding and transporting sediment along the shoreline. The intensity and direction of wave action depend on factors such as wind speed, wave height, and the angle of wave approach.
- Hydraulic Action: The force of breaking waves dislodges and removes sediment from the coastline, contributing to erosion. This process is particularly active during storms and high-energy wave events.
- Abrasion: Also known as “corrasion,” abrasion occurs when waves carrying sediment scrape and wear down coastal features such as cliffs, headlands, and beaches. The abrasive action of sediment particles can lead to the gradual erosion of coastal landforms over time.
- Attrition: In this process, sediment particles carried by waves collide with each other and with coastal landforms, resulting in the breaking down and smoothing of sediment grains. Attrition contributes to the process of sediment transport along the coastline.
- Solution: Dissolution of soluble rock materials (e.g., limestone) by seawater contributes to coastal erosion in areas with limestone or other soluble rock formations. Over time, the gradual dissolution of these rocks can lead to the formation of coastal caves, arches, and other erosional features.
- Longshore Drift: Waves breaking at an angle to the shoreline can generate a current known as longshore drift, which transports sediment along the coast. Longshore drift can lead to the gradual erosion of sediment from one area of the coastline and deposition in another, resulting in changes to coastal landforms and erosion patterns.
- Sea Level Rise: Rising sea levels associated with climate change can exacerbate coastal erosion by increasing wave energy and inundating low-lying coastal areas. Sea level rise contributes to the erosion of beaches, dunes, and coastal marshes, leading to land loss and coastal retreat.
Coastal Erosion
Coastal Erosion is the wearing away of the land near the coastline. It removes sediments from beaches, dunes, cliffs, and coastal wetlands, mainly due to wind, waves, high tides, and storms. Coastal erosion is a natural process that shapes the world’s coastline but is also a significant environmental issue.
This article will focus on the causes, types, impacts, case studies, management studies, and some interesting facts related to coastal erosion.
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Coastal Erosion