What are Spits?
Spits are long narrow ridges of shingle and
sand extending out into the sea or across a river estuary.
How
are Spits formed?
Longshore drift transports material along
the coastline. Spits are formed in areas of relatively shallow and sheltered
water where there is a change in the direction of the coastline. Deposition
occurs resulting in the accumulation of sand and shingle
The material initially deposited is the largest material, dropped due to
the reduction in energy. Finer material is then deposited, helping to build up
the rest of the spit. As the spit continues to grow outwards, a short term
change in wind direction may result in a change in the direction of the spit
forming a curved end (recurved laterals). If growing across a river estuary, the
length of the spit will be restricted by the river outlet washing sediment away.
A salt marsh may form in the sheltered, low energy zone behind the spit.
Named
examples of spits: 1.
Spurn Head, Humberside
2. Orford Ness (near Aldeburgh)
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