Coasts

Backshore: is the area between the high water mark and the landward limit of marine activity. Changes normally take place here only during storm activity.

Foreshore: is the area lying between the HWM and the LWM. It is the most important zone for marine processes in times that are not influenced by storm activity.

Inshore: is the area between the LWM and the point where the waves cease to have any influence on the land beneath them.

Offshore: is the area beyond the point where waves ceasev to impact upon the sea bed in which activity is limited to deposition of sediments.

• Wave size, frequency, type, energy produced and direction
• Local sea currents
• Longshore Drist
• Tides
• Depth of water offshore
• Type and amount of sediments offshore
• Rock type and structure
• Sub-aerial Processes (run-off, weathering)
• Land-based agents of erosion (rivers, glaciers)
• Climate
• Weather
• Fetch
• Long-term sea level change
• Human activity
• Coastal Ecosystems ( san dunes, salt marshes)