15.15.

PHENOMENA AT THE LAND/OCEAN INTERFACE

The coastal interface between land masses and the ocean is an important area of
environmental activity. The land along this boundary is under constant attack from
the waves and currents from the ocean, so that most coastal areas are always changing.
The most common structure of the coast is shown in cross section in Figure
15.10. The beach, consisting of sediment, such as sand formed by wave action on
coastal rock, is a sloping area that is periodically inundated by ocean waves. Extend