shoreface
Submerged coastal slope
The shoreface is the sloping underwater zone between the low-tide line and the deeper, flatter seafloor.
It's where waves interact with the seabed, constantly reshaping sediment.
Geologists and coastal engineers use the term when studying beach erosion, sediment transport, and shoreline dynamics: The storm reshaped the shoreface overnight.
Sandy waterside margin
- foreshoreIntertidal coastal zone
- nearshoreClose to the coastline
- tidelineShore's flood boundary
- sandbarUnderwater ridge of sediment
littoral · dunes · estuary · tidal flat · intertidal · subtidal · barrier island · lagoon
Study of rock layers
- sedimentaryFormed from deposited material
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- bedrockSolid stone underground
- outcropSurfacing native stone
geomorphology · cross-bedding · facies · transgression · regression · sea level · Quaternary · Holocene
Fine rock particles
- siltWaterborne earth particles
- clayMoldable earth for ceramics
- gravelLoose small rock fragments
- particlesMinute pieces of matter
grains · deposits · strata · layers · ripples · dunes · bars · accretion
Waves near shore
- swellIncrease in size
- breakersWaves that collapse shoreward
- whitecapsFoam-topped breaking waves
- undertowSubsurface seaward current
rip current · storm surge · wave energy · shoaling · refraction · swash · backwash · oscillation
Shallow surface wound
- scouringVigorous abrasive cleaning
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- undercuttingCharging less than rivals
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
scarping · cliff collapse · storm damage · overwash · degradation · attrition · wearing · scour
beach
Sandy waterside margin
sandbar · littoral · dunes · estuary · tidal flat · intertidal · subtidal · barrier island · lagoon · spit
stratigraphy
Study of rock layers
- sedimentaryFormed from deposited material
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- bedrockSolid stone underground
outcrop · geomorphology · cross-bedding · facies · transgression · regression · sea level · Quaternary · Holocene · core sample
sand
Fine rock particles
particles · grains · deposits · strata · layers · ripples · dunes · bars · accretion · retrograde
surf
Waves near shore
undertow · rip current · storm surge · wave energy · shoaling · refraction · swash · backwash · oscillation · turbulence
abrasion
Shallow surface wound
- scouringVigorous abrasive cleaning
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- undercuttingCharging less than rivals
retreat · scarping · cliff collapse · storm damage · overwash · degradation · attrition · wearing · scour
shorefaceoffshore
Away from land
open ocean · backshore · deep sea · deep water · continental shelf
shore, face, shores, shored, shoring, shoreline, shoreless, offshore, onshore