Coastal Processes

Collective term covering the action of natural forces on the shoreline, and near shore seabed.

Glossary of Terms

Rock

An aggregate of one or more minerals; or a body of undifferentiated mineral matter. The three classes of rocks are: (a) igneous - crystalline rocks formed from molten material (e.g. granite and basalt); (b) sedimentary - resulting from the consolidation of loose sediment that has accumulated in layers (e.g. sandstone, shale and limestone); (c) metamorphic - formed from pre-exisiting rock as a result of burial, heat and pressure.

Alien Species

(Also called introduced, exotic, or non-indigenous species) - A species that has been transported by human activity, intentionally or accidentally, into a region where it does not occur naturally.

Rip Current

A strong surface current flowing seaward from the shore. It usually appears as a visible band of agitated water and is the return movement of water piled up on the shore by incoming waves and winds. With the seaward movement concentrated in a limited band its velocity is somewhat accumulated. A rip consists of three parts: the feeder currents flowing parallel to the shore inside the breakers; the neck, there the feeder currents converge and flow through the breakers in a narrow band or "rip"; and the head of rip, where the current widens and slackens outside of the breaker line. A rip current is often miscalled a rip tide.

Hard Defenses

General term applied to impermeable coastal defense structures of concrete, timber, steel, masonry, etc, which reflect a high proportion of incident wave energy.

Seagrass Beds

Benthic communities, usually on shallow, sandy or muddy bottoms, dominated by grasslike marine plants.

Shingle

Loosely and commonly, any beach material coarser than ordinary gravel, especially any having flat or flattish pebbles.

Strictly and accurately, beach material of smooth, well-rounded pebbles that are not roughly the same size. The spaces betwen pebbles are not filled with finer materials.

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Coastal Processes