Longshore Transport and Beach Drift

What is the longshore current and how is it formed?

The longshore current is the ocean current that travels parallel to the shore and is formed by angled waves coming ashore and breaking, pushing water, sand, and sediment in one direction down the length of the beach.

What is another term for the longshore current?

The longshore current is also referred to as the 'littoral current'.

What is beach drift and how does it contribute to the longshore transport?

Beach drift is the progressive movement of sand and sediment along the beach. It contributes to the longshore transport by carrying sand and sediment down the coastline.

What is swash and how does it move?

Swash is the water that moves onshore from the waves. It moves onto the beach at an angle, carried by the waves. Signup and view all the answers

What is backwash and how does it move?

Backwash is the receding water moving off of the beach and washing back into the ocean. It returns to the ocean in a straight path that is perpendicular to the shore. Signup and view all the answers

How does swash and backwash contribute to the zigzag pattern of beach drift?

Swash carries sand and sediment onto the beach in the same direction as the wave's motion, while backwash returns the water to the ocean in a perpendicular direction. This creates a zigzag pattern of deposition along the beach. Signup and view all the answers

How do the longshore current and beach drift work together?

The longshore current drives the waves that wash up on shore, and in turn, these waves carry sand and sediment, contributing to beach drift. Together, the longshore current and beach drift create the longshore transport, resulting in a net overall transport of sand and sediment down current along the coast. Signup and view all the answers

What is the swash zone?

The swash zone is the area at the water's edge where waves lap up onto the beach. Signup and view all the answers

What is longshore transport?

Longshore transport is the movement of sand and sediment parallel to the coastline. Signup and view all the answers

What is beach drift?

Beach drift is a process that contributes to longshore transport by moving sand and sediment along the shoreline. Signup and view all the answers

What is the longshore current?

The longshore current is a current that flows parallel to the shoreline, causing the movement of sand and sediment in the same direction. Signup and view all the answers

How does beach drift contribute to longshore transport?

Beach drift moves sand and sediment along the shoreline, which is part of the longshore transport process. Signup and view all the answers

What is the swash zone?

The swash zone is the area at the water's edge where waves lap up onto the beach. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor contributing to longshore transport?

The primary factor contributing to longshore transport is the longshore current. Signup and view all the answers

How does the longshore current shape shorelines?

The longshore current moves sand and sediment along the coastline, shaping the shorelines of the world. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of longshore transport?

Longshore transport is the movement of sand and sediment parallel to the coastline. Signup and view all the answers

What is the swash zone?

The swash zone is the area at the water's edge where waves lap up onto the beach. Signup and view all the answers

How does beach drift contribute to longshore transport?

Beach drift, caused by the longshore current, carries sand and sediment down the shoreline, contributing to longshore transport. Signup and view all the answers

How does the longshore current contribute to longshore transport?

The longshore current is responsible for moving sand and sediment parallel to the shore, contributing to longshore transport. Signup and view all the answers

What causes the volleyball to move down the beach?

The movement of the volleyball down the beach is part of the longshore transport, which is caused by beach drift and the longshore current. Signup and view all the answers

What are some factors contributing to how longshore transport occurs?

Factors such as beach drift caused by the longshore current contribute to how longshore transport occurs. Signup and view all the answers

How do processes like beach drift and the longshore current shape shorelines?

Processes like beach drift and the longshore current shape shorelines by constantly changing the movement of sand and sediment along the shore. Signup and view all the answers