Coastlines of erosion and depositionFeatures of coastal deposition

Spits

There are different depositional features produced by longshore drift including beaches.

• Spits form where the coastline changes direction and longshore drift continues to move material along the beach.
• Longshore drift will deposit material in the sea after the coastline has changed direction.
• Over time the level of the sand deposited will build-up until it is above sea level.
• The spit cannot develop right across the bay as a river's estuary prevents the build-up of sand.
• Sand spits often have a curved or hooked end. This is created when secondary wind and wave direction causes waves to strike from a different direction.
• The beach therefore appears to extend out into the sea and is known as a spit or sandspit.
• The spit creates an area of calmer water, sheltered by the spit. A lagoon, salt marsh and finally dry land can develop in this sheltered area.