Coastal Erosion

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To investigate the human and physical factors that have resulted in coastal erosion at Collaroy and Long Reef Beach.

Where is the issue located?
The costal Erosion has happened on the East Coast of Australia in Sydney specifically in Sydney’s northern beaches at Long Reef Beach (33.7461° S, 151.3041° E) and Collaroy Beach (33.7264° S, 151.2997° E). The beaches are a part of Warringah Council.

What geographical processes have formed the natural coastal system?
One of the geographical processes that have formed the natural coastal system is long shore drift. Long shore drift is when waves approach the beach at an angle due to the prevailing wind. The swash (waves moving up the beach) will then carry material up and along the beach. The backwash (waves moving down the beach) carry material down the beach. The material that is carried is usually sand and pebbles. When longshore drift happens, it carries the material north. This means the north end of the beach will be thicker as sediment such as sand is constantly being deposited onto the shore.
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Coastal deposition when material is dropped onto the coast by the sea. This happens when waves loose energy. Excluding beaches a large range of landforms can be made due to deposition such as a bar, spit, tombolo or a cuspate foreland. For these landforms to form it will also depend on the longshore drift happening at the same time. Depositional landforms become extremely vulnerable to extreme storm events unless vegetation colonisation has taken