Explain the formation of landforms resulting from the actions of sea waves, using your understanding of these processes.

Sea waves, through the processes of erosion, transportation, and deposition, play a significant role in shaping coastal landforms. Here's a step-by-step explanation of how these processes work:

1. Erosion: This is the first step in the formation of landforms. Sea waves constantly hit the coast, and over time, they erode the land. The power of the waves can break down rocks and cliffs. There are several types of erosion, including hydraulic action (the force of water hitting the coast), abrasion (pebbles grinding along the coast, like sandpaper), attrition (waves causing rocks and pebbles to bump into each other and break down), and corrosion (the dissolving of rock by seawater).

2. Transportation: After the waves have eroded the coast, they then transport the eroded material. This is done through processes like traction (large pebbles and rocks are rolled along the sea bed), saltation (small pebbles and stones are bounced along the sea bed), suspension (small particles are carried within the water), and solution (dissolved materials are carried within the water).

3. Deposition: When the sea loses energy, it drops the sand, rock particles, and pebbles it has been carrying. This is known as deposition. Deposition can occur in areas where the speed of the wave decreases, for example in a bay. Over time, the deposited material can accumulate and form various landforms.

Different landforms resulting from these processes include:

• Cliffs and Wave-Cut Platforms: These are formed through the process of erosion. The sea attacks the base of the cliff forming a wave-cut notch, which is enlarged into a cave. The roof of the cave eventually collapses leading to the retreat of the cliff and leaving behind a wave-cut platform.

• Beaches: These are formed through the process of deposition. Sand and pebbles are deposited along the coast to form a beach.

• Spits and Bars: These are also formed through deposition. A spit is a long, narrow ridge of sand or shingle projecting from the coastline into the sea. If a spit connects two headlands, it is called a bar.

• Sand Dunes: These are formed when sand deposited by longshore drift is blown inland and trapped by obstacles such as driftwood. Over time, vegetation may start to grow, stabilizing the sand and leading to the formation of larger dunes.

Remember, the formation of these landforms takes a very long time and is influenced by many factors, including the strength of the waves, the geology of the coast, and the amount of material available for erosion and deposition.