Glossary

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Sandy beach is a low sloping beach made of sand.  

Sea level change occurs when the level of the sea varies in relation to the land, e.g. during glaciations or tides.

Sea wall is a protective vertical wall built on the shore to redirect and absorb wave energy.  It protects beaches and roads from storm waves. 

Solution/ corrosion is the process by which the water dissolves rock.  This is one type of chemical wearing.

Spit is a long sandy bar projecting from the mainland into the sea.  It forms by long shore drift.

Stack is an isolated portion of the cliff resulting from the collapse of an arch roof. 

Storm beach is the highest part of a beach formed during storms.

Stump is a worn down stack. 

Submerged coast results from a rise in sea level and/or a down throw of the land, e.g. rias and fjords.

Surf is the waves as they break on a shore.

Swash is the breaking wave that rushes up a beach.  This normally carries material up the beach.

Swell is a shallow, gentle wave that has traveled for long distances without breaking.