coastal processes2

Abrasion

These rocks were rubbed away by abrasion. Abrasion is when waves bash against rocks, breaking pieces off them and then wearing those pieces down to be smoother and rounder. They are known as pebbles.

Rocks are eroded by attrition. Attrition is when waves bash against cliffs and erode it away.

This is also attrition. The waves have caused a hole in the cliff. The hole can be called an arch.

This sculpture was formed by waves picking up sand particles and throwing them against the cliff. Do you see the different angles on the sculpture? That is because the wind was blowing in different directions.

This was also formed by waves picking up sand particles and throwing them against the cliffs. I also put this picture in to tell you that it is February here and the sky is blue.

This is also abrasion.

This edge of this sand was washed away by the waves.

Waves have eroded these rocks into layers. The waves crash against the rock with such a force, it erodes away the rock, layering it.

These pillars mark where the eroding has been.

This is a close – up of the pillar.

The pillars are numbered so that people can record the erosion. E.g. Number 470 is closer to the sea than it was 3 weeks ago because the sea has eroded the cliff away a lot.