Salt Weathering

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the erosion of limestone and hard rock along coastlines throughout the world results in the formation of specific types of landforms due to the minerals and rocks that are pulled from erosion into the sea and redeposition. The paper then explains that saltwater erosion takes two forms: impact erosion and erosion from the acidity in the saltwater. Limestone rocks are eroded due to the infiltration of water into the rocks, which breaks down the composition of rocks. Harder rocks are eroded through a process of impaction by the saltwater and the participles of rock and sand in the water. The paper also explains that, as these rocks erode, new formations result because the particles of erosion are placed in different locations along the coastline. Several illustrations, tables and figures are included with the paper.

Table of Contents:
Objective
Introduction
Erosion of Coastlines
Formation of Coastlines
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Along rocky coastlines where the action of waves has not occurred long enough to lower the coastline to the level of the sea a "wave cut beach and wave cut cliff develops."If a "subsequent uplift of the wave-cut beach occurs, it may be preserved above sea level and as marine terrace." Eventually the cliff will retreat due to processes of undercutting which result in mass-wasting processes. In the case of differential erosion sea caves result. The sea arch is formed from sea caves from opposite sides of a rocky headland meeting; however, when the sea arch weakens and collapses, the formation of a sea stack occurs."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Brew, David S. (2004) March 2004. Joint Defra/EA Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management R&D Programme entitled: "Understanding and Predicting Beach Morphological Change Processes Associated with the Erosion of Cohesive Foreshores-Scoping Report. R& D Technical Report FD1915/TR Environment Agency, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
• Finkl, Charles W. (2004) Coastal Classification: Systematic Approaches to Consider in the Development of A Comprehensive Scheme. Coastal Planning and Engineering, Journal of Coastal Research Vol. 20 No. 12 166-213 West Palm Beach, Florida. Winter 2004. Online available at:
• General Geology of the Coast (nd) Chapter Three. Online available at: http://www.ga.gov.au/image_cache/GA2061.pdf
• Nelson, Stephen A. (2003) The Oceans and Their Margin. Physical Geology. Tulane University. 6 Nov 2003. Online available at: http://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/geol111/oceans.pdf
• Shoreline Processes and the Evolution of Coastal Landforms (nd) Tulane University. Online available at: http://www.tulane.edu/~geol113/COASTAL-PROCESSES-1a.htm

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