Type of Coast

Types of Coasts and Beaches

The damage by storms, surges, and tsunamis depends in part of the type of coast. There are many different types, and many different ways to classify coasts.

Geological Setting

The geological setting is important. The Office of Naval Research web page on Coasts divides coasts into two categories:

1. Primary Coasts, which were created by non-marine processes. The processes include erosion, deposition, and tectonic activity. River deltas are an important example
2. Secondary Coasts, which were formed by marine action. The processes include deposition of sand by waves and currents, and growth of reefs by corals. Barrier islands are an important example.

RIP Currents

Backwash is the seaward flow of water that had been carried shoreward by breaking waves, but the augmentation (wave set-up) of nearshore sea level by shoreward movement of water due to wave motion must also return seaward, typically as localised rip currents. These occur in distinct (though variable) patterns on many shores (particularly along beaches), related to longshore variations in wave set-up. 

Danau Tapal Kuda

Danau tapal kuda atau Oxbow lake  merupakan danau yang dihasilkan bila sungai yang berkelok-kelok atau sungai meander melintasi daratan mengambil jalan pintas dan meninggalkan potongan-potongan yang akhirnya membentuk danau tapal kuda. Oxbow lake terbentuk dari waktu ke waktu sebagai akibat dari erosi dan sedimentasi dari tanah disekitar sungai meander.