Being an island, Australia is bordered by many unique coastal landscapes where the land meets the sea. When visiting a coastline, you may often comment on the weather, as you are more exposed to the force of the wind and waves, and the temperature and rainfall. Being exposed to these elements also has a significant impact on coastal landscapes.
Common coastal landforms such as cliffs, beaches, bays and rock formations are all shaped by three key processes. The process of weathering is when elements such as wind, rain or temperature weaken a landform, causing it to break down. Erosion is another process, which involves the removal of soil, sand or rock from a coastal landform. The final process, deposition, adds soil, sand or rock to a landform. Waves, wind, rain, plants and animals can all cause these processes to occur.
Produced by ABC Education in collaboration with Geoscience Australia and the Geography Teachers' Association of Victoria.