The Coast In Motion! – Vocabulary List

1. barrier island: an elongated island of sand separated from the mainland by a body of water.

2. dunes:  a mound of loose sand built by the force of the wind.

3. erosion: the act of wearing away or removing something.

4. groin:  a structure built to influence currents and entrap sediment being carried by longshore transport.

5. hurricane: a violent tropical cyclone with winds in excess of 74 mph.

6. inlet:  the opening between barrier islands.

7. jetty:  a structure built to influence currents and to maintain channel depths.  Jetties protect the entrance to harbors.

8. longshore current:  the current in the surf zone moving parallel to shore.  It is generated by waves breaking at an angle with the shoreline.

9. marsh:  area of soft, wet land periodically flooded by the tide and typically found in a low energy area behind an island or in estuaries.

10. overwash:  a process whereby waves washing over an island carry sand from the seaside to the landside.

11. sediment:  small bits of worn away rocks that are transported by wind and water.

12. tides:  the alternate rise and fall of the surface of the oceans, seas, etc. caused by the attraction of the moon and sun.