The gradual, landward migration of a coastal cliff face as wave erosion undercuts its base faster than mass wasting can remove the resulting overhang, causing periodic collapse. Retreat rates vary enormously with rock type and wave exposure, from centimetres to several metres a year on soft, unconsolidated coastlines.
Facts
Process Type TimescaleOver 100 feet per year at severe sites, e.g. North Cove, Washington 1 Connections
Sources
1. Coastal Erosion (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead paragraph, first sentence
Coastal erosion is the loss or displacement of land, or the long-term removal of sediment and rocks along the coastline due to the action of waves, currents, tides, wind-driven water, waterborne ice, or other impacts of storms.
Rates and examples section, North Cove sentence
The coastline of North Cove, Washington has been eroding at a rate of over 100 feet per year, earning the area the nickname "Washaway Beach".
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