Coastal Erosion

Coastal erosion is similar to river erosion as there are 4 ways that the waves erode the coast: Hydraulic Action, Abrasion, Attrition and Solution (see above).

The rate of Coastal erosion depends upon a number of factors relating to the rock. Some rocks are more resistant and are not eroded as quickly, such as granite in Cornwall, whereas softer rocks such as boulder clay on the Holderness coast can be eroded rapidly. Also, the structure of the rock is important as rocks which have natural weaknesses along faults, joints or bedding planes will be eroded quicker than rocks which are just massive blocks.