Why do coasts erode?

Answer 1

Coastal erosion is commonly caused by wave action from the sea breaking upon the shoreline soils/rocks. Longshore drift causes the sediment to move "downbeach" and you may also get wind erosion from onshore winds that create dunes.

Answer 2

There are four main ways in which the coast can be eroded by the sea:

• Hydraulic action:lots of sea water crashes against the land, causing air and water to become trapped and compressed in surface cracks. When the sea retreats the air expands, weakening the cracks in the rock and causing pieces of the rock to break off.
• Corrasion: caused by bits of rock hitting the cliffs and other parts of the land, causing more bits of rock to break off.
• Attrition: rock fragments grind each other down into smaller and smoother pebbles and eventually into sand which is then deposited on the beaches.
• Corrosion: involves the chemical action of sea on rock, often happens with limestone beaches, when the limestone dissolves in the sea water although the salt can affect some other stones as well.

Ellie Gilbert wrote this

Posted by Wavebreakere

Answer 3

Coasts erode due to a combination of factors, including wave action, currents, storms, and human activities like construction and mining. Natural processes such as weathering and abrasion also contribute to coastal erosion over time. Rising sea levels and climate change are intensifying coastal erosion in many areas.