Glossary of Ocean Terms -- Beach-Net

Beach-Net!'s
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Current, Littoral

Any current in the littoral zone caused primarily by wave action, i.e., longshore currrent, rip current.

Current, Longshore

The littoral current in the breaker zone that moves essentially parallel to the shore, usually generated by waves breaking at an angle to the shoreline.

Cusp

Scallop-like ridges and depressions in the sand spaced at regular intervals along the beach.

Downdrift

In the direction of the predominant movement of sediment along the shore. The side of a groin, jetty or other structure which is deprived of sand.

Dredging

The removal of sediment or the excavation of tidal or subtidal bottom to provide sufficient depths for navigation or anchorage, or to obtain material for construction or for beach nourishment.

Dune

Any natural hill, mound or ridge of sediment landward of a coastal berm deposited by the wind or by storm overwash. Sediment deposited by artificial means and serving the purpose of storm-damage prevention and flood control.

Ebb Tide

The period of tide between high water and low water. A falling tide.

Erosion

The wearing away of land by the action of natural forces. On a beach, the carrying away of beach material by wave action, tidal currents, littoral currents, or wind.

Estuary

The part of a river that is affected by tides. The region near a river mouth in which the freshwater of the river mixes with the saltwater of the sea.

Estuarine

Pertaining to an estuary.