Everything about Coast totally explained
The
coast is defined as the part of the land adjoining or near the
ocean. A
coastline is properly a line on a map indicating the disposition of a coast, but the word is often used to refer to the coast itself. The adjective coastal describes something as being on, near to, or associated with a coast.
Coast is a specific term, and is applied to that part of an island or continent that borders an ocean or its
saltwater tributaries. A
pelagic coast refers to a coast which fronts the open ocean, as opposed to a more sheltered coast in a
gulf or
bay. A
shore on the other hand, can refer to parts of the land which adjoin any large body of water, including oceans (sea shore) and
lakes (lake shore). Similarly, the somewhat related term
bank refers to the land alongside or sloping down to a
river (river bank) or of a body of water smaller than a lake.
Bank is also used in some parts of the world to refer to an artificial ridge of earth intended to retain the water of a river or
pond. In other places this may be called a
levee.
While many scientific experts might agree on a common definition of the term "coast", the delineation of the inland extents of a coast differ according to
jurisdiction, with many scientific and government authorities in various countries differing for economic and social policy reasons. This is usually because defining lands as part of a coast may be seen to have environmental implications which would prevent development or attach regulations to their use.
Environmental importance
The coast and its adjacent areas on and off shore is an important part of a local
ecosystem as the mixture of fresh water and
salt water in
estuaries provides many nutrients for marine life. Salt
marshes and
beaches also support a diversity of
plants,
animals, and
insects crucial to the
food chain.
Like the ocean which shapes them, coasts are a dynamic environment with constant change. The earth's natural processes, particularly
sea level rise,
waves and various
weather phenomena, have resulted in the
erosion,
accretion and reshaping of coasts as well as
flooding and creation of
continental shelves and drowned river valleys (
rias).
Human impacts
Coasts also face many environmental challenges relating to human-induced impacts. The human influence on
climate change is thought to be a contributing factor of an accelerated trend in
sea level rise which threatens coastal habitat as natural systems struggle to adapt faster. Human development of coastal land, particularly for recreational or industrial uses are similarly threatened by sea level rise, but also contribute to
aesthetic problems of land use and reduced natural coastal habitat.
Pollution is an ongoing concern along coasts with
garbage and industrial debris littering
beaches and sometimes entire coasts, requiring government agencies to make frequent use of
beach cleaners and other volunteer cleanup efforts. The
transportation of
petroleum in
tankers is a major hazard both for the open ocean and along coasts, particularly when large
oil spills occur. Another major hazard for coastal marine life is the large number of small oil spills created by large and small vessels powered by petroleum which flush
bilge water directly into the ocean.
Both the terms coast and coastal are often used to describe a geographic location or region. For example, New Zealand's
West Coast, or the
East and
West Coasts of the United States.
A large part of the global population inhabits areas near a coast, partly to take advantage of marine resources such as fish, but more importantly to participate in seaborne trade with other nations. Many of the world's major cities that have developed in recent centuries were built on or near good
harbours and have large
port facilities to take advantage of marine transportation. Jurisdictions which are
landlocked and have no coast are often at an economic disadvantage with overseas trade being more difficult; sometimes being forced to go to extravagant measures such as building
canals to permit ocean-going vessels to travel inland.
Coasts, especially those with
beaches and warm water are also an important draw for
tourists. In many
island nations such as those of the Mediterranean, South Pacific and Caribbean, tourism by those who come to enjoy the coast is central to the economy. Coasts are popular destinations because of recreational activities such as
swimming,
fishing,
surfing,
boating, and
sunbathing.
Growth management can be a challenge for coastal
local authorities who often struggle to provide the
infrastructure required by new residents seeking
seachange lifestyles.
Many tourists and residents also enjoy the salt air by the sea coast which some consider to have health benefits. Coastal weather is heavily influenced by the ocean and while this can sometimes result in dangerous storms such as
Nor'easters and
hurricanes, the coastal climate is often cooler and more temperate than corresponding inland areas. Consequently tourists from areas experiencing extremely warm and humid weather seek coastal areas for these reasons.
The coast is often a crucial defensive frontier, both for warding off military invaders but also smugglers and illegal migrants.
Coastal defenses have thus long been erected in many nations. Most coastal countries also have a
navy and some form of
coast guard.
Types of coast
An emergent coastline is a coastline which has experienced a fall in sea level, because of either a global sea level change, or local uplift. Emergent coastlines are identifiable by the coastal
landforms, which are above the high tide mark, such as
raised beaches. Alternatively, a submergent coastline is a coastline which has experienced a rise in sea level, due to a global sea level change, local
subsidence, or
isostatic rebound. Submergent coastlines are identifiable by their submerged, or "drowned" landforms, such as
rias (drowned valleys) and
fjords.
A concordant coastline is a coastline where bands of different rock types run parallel to the shore. These rock types are usually of alternating
resistance, so the coastline forms distinctive landforms, such as coves. A discordant coastline is a type of coastline formed when rock types of alternating resistance run perpendicular to the shore. Discordant coastlines feature distinctive landforms because the rocks are
eroded by
ocean waves. The less resistant rocks erode faster, creating
inlets or
bays; the more resistant rocks erode more slowly, remaining as
headlands or outcroppings.
Coastal landforms and features
Cliff erosion
Cave
Cliff
Natural arch
Stack
Stump
Wave cut cliff
Wave cut notch
Wave cut platform
Rivers on the coastline
Delta
Estuary
Coastal features formed by sediment
Beach
Boondock
Dune system
Mud flat
Raised beach
Ria
Shoal
spit
Surge channel
Tombolo
Coastal features formed by another feature
Lagoon
Salt marsh
Other features on the coast
Concordant coastline
Discordant coastline
Fjord
Island
Island arc
Machair
Coastal processes
Attrition
Currents
Denudation
Deposition
Erosion
Flooding
Longshore drift
Saltation
Sea level change » *eustatic
*isostatic
Sedimentation » *sediment transportation
*solution » *sub-aerial processes
*suspension
Tides
Waves
Weathering
Wildlife
Animals
Animals living along the coast vary enormously, some live along coasts to nest like puffins, sea turtles and rockhopper penguins. Sea snails and various kinds of barnacles live on the coast and scavenge on food deposited by the sea. Most coastal animals are used to humans in developed areas, such as dolphins and seagulls who eat food thrown for them by tourists. Since the coastal areas are all part of the littoral zone, there's a profusion of marine life found just off-coast.
There are many kinds of seabirds on the coast. Pelicans and cormorants join up with terns and oystercatchers to forage for fish and shellfish on the coast.
Plants
Coastal areas are famous for their kelp beds. Kelp is a fast growing seaweed that grows up to a metre a day. Corals and anemones are true animals, but live a similar lifestyle as plants do.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Coast'.
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