Oceans Process Coastal Processes
NAUSET BEACH, CAPE COD
DO NOW: LIST 5 THINGS YOU KNOW ABOUT OCEANS... HOW DO OCEANS AFFECT EARTH’S SURFACE?
Over 71% of earth’s surface is covered with ocean water Average oceanic depth is around 4km(that’s higher than Mt. Everest) Most of the sediment on land will erode into the oceans
Sodium chloride is the most common salt found in the ocean-others include Mg, Ca, and K) If ocean water evaporates, the salt concentration will rise and precipitate out of solution (sedimentary rock)
Salt Pillars
Longshore Transport: transport along shoreline due to waves-erodes shoreline Waves: caused by wind How does the ocean water transport sediment?
Waves Wind pushes water into a wave (oscillates) The wave flattens out with decreasing depth Breaks when the top of wave is too far ahead of bottom
Jetty: these are man made structures used to prevent beach erosion Beach Structures due to Geologic Activity
Barrier Islands- carved out by waves
Sand Bar- deposit of sediments due to wave action
Terraces: raised beach due to crustal uplift
Baymouth Bar-formed by Longshore current closes off bay
Spit: formed by longshore current - opened
Wave Cut Cliff