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Lessons 12-13

Water penetrates the cracks in the cliffs, loosening the rock and making it more
crumbly. Depending on the hardness of the rocks the cliffs get worn away at different
rates.

5. Talk about waves that build up the beach and waves which wear down the beach.

Strong swash pushes lots of material up the beach. Weak backwash on the surface
causes little loss of material. The beach is built up under these conditions, eg Durdle
Door – West beach is a storm beach.

Beaches are worn down when the swash is weak and there is a strong backwash on the
surface which brings down much material from the beach, eg Swanage beach. Let the
children locate these places in their atlases.

6. Sometimes waves do not come straight onto the beach but come from whatever
direction the wind is blowing. Stones and pebbles are carried along the coast by the
waves then back down the steepest slope. They are then carried along the coast in a
zigzag path until they are deposited. This is called longshore drift. Explain that

groynes have been built on many parts of the coastland to try to stop this.

7. Show pictures, or let the children find pictures on the Internet, of stumps, stacks,
arches, caves and blow-holes. Talk about these being seen in chalk and limestone
areas. Explain that blow-holes eventually collapse as erosion makes the holes larger,

leading firstly to a small bay, then to more stacks.

8. Let the children complete the worksheet; some children may wish to find out more

about coastal erosion from books or the Internet.

9. End by thanking God for the beautiful coastal scenery we can enjoy. Remind the
children that some countries have no coastline; some children may like to identify
these countries.

Learning for Life (Fulfilment)

The children will have learnt more geographical terminology and be aware of how coastal

erosion takes place and the effect it has on human habitation. It should give them a deeper
appreciation of the beauty of the coastline around our country.

(God's Amazing Landscapes) 28