Question

How do waves cause erosion and deposition?

Answer 1

Hint: Waves build up and break down shorelines. Ocean waves are energy traveling through the ocean which can transport sand on the beach and off the beach. They can deposit sand on the beach or carve structure at shore.

Complete answer: The ocean has the power to modify landforms. It does so by the process of erosion and deposition. For example, incoming waves can erode the cliffs or deposit sand on the beach.
There are several ways through which waves cause erosion and deposition. Sediments carried along the waves work as sandpaper. They help in eroding the shore over time. When waves reach the water near the ocean shores, they start to break. The force of breaking waves hit the shore line knocking the fragments off from the existing rock formation.
Another way waves erode is by forcing water into cracks of rocks at the shoreline.
Waves can create unique landforms by manipulating the existing rock formation. It can create sea-arches, sea stacks and wave-cut cliffs.
When waves erode a rocky shoreline, wave-cut cliffs are formed. This is because waves create a vertical wall of exposed rock layers.
When waves erode both sides of a cliff, sea arches are formed. A hole is created in the cliff by the waves.
When the waves erode top of a sea arch, sea stacks are formed. This results in the formation of pillars.
Sediments are carried by rivers from land to sea. A delta will not form when waves action is high. Instead, these sediments are spread by waves along the coastline forming a beach. Sediments are also eroded from cliffs and shoreline onto the beaches.
Waves carry sand, rock particles and pieces of shell in large amounts. At some point, these materials are deposited by waves carrying them. Through deposition, waves form beaches, sand bars, spits and barrier islands.

Note: Ocean waves are energy traveling through the ocean. Sand connected to land and extending to water is called a spit. Waves can create unique landforms by manipulating the existing rock formation. It can create sea-arches, sea stacks and wave-cut cliffs.