Coastal LandformsA Visual Dictionary

SpitCreated by deposits of sand where the sea current slows downA long thin point of land made of sediments

Barrier BayA bay cut off the open water by a spit that has closed the mouth of the bay.

Barrier IslandA long thin Island parallel to

the shore formed of sediments deposited by

waves and rivers. Sometimes left by glacials processes

BEACHA coastal area covered in loose (unconsolidated) sediments (sand or gravel)

DeltaA landform created where a river dumps more sediment than waves and currents can spread out.

The river often braids.

This is the MacKenzie River Delta.

HeadlandAn arm of rocky cliffs sticking out into open water. The headlands are “high energy” zones where wave energy is concentrated and erosion is a major force shapping cliffs, caves, arches and sea stacks.

Sea ArchArches in rocks where the waves have worn a hole through the headland, while the rock above hole stays together.

Sea StackCreated when the roof of arched holes in the headland break off and fall. There is a headland, then a gap and then a tower of standing rock.

CliffSteep faces of rock where erosion and waves have cut away the bottome of the land, causing the rock above it to fall.

BeachBeaches are formed by both EROSION (wearing away) and DEPOSTION (building up).

BeachWave action against cliffs and beach faces is an continuing process that breaks rock into smaller pieces where are worn and ground down on the beach as the waves roll and grate rocks together making them smoother and smaller.