wave erosion
Ocean carving land
Wave erosion is the wearing away of coastal land by the action of ocean waves.
As waves repeatedly strike shorelines, they gradually break down rock, sand, and soil through hydraulic pressure, abrasion, and chemical processes.
The result shapes distinctive coastal features: sea cliffs, sea caves, arches, and sea stacks.
Wave erosion has carved dramatic formations along the California coast.
- coastalOf the shoreline
- shorelineLand-water boundary
- rocky shoreCoastline of boulders
- sea cliffSteep coastal rock face
- cliffsSteep natural rock walls
cliff face · headland · sea · tide · high tide · surf · white caps · crashing · salt · ocean spray · rocks · undercutting · caves · arches · stacks · tidal pool · sand · beach