Chapter 15
Chapter 15: Restless Realm: Oceans and Coasts
Animation
This animation illustrates the sawtooth motion that causes sand to gradually migrate along beaches in a process called beach drift, and shows how this can create sand spits in places where the coastline indents landward. For more information, see 15.6 Where Land Meets Sea: Coastal Landforms starting on p. 413 and Figure 15.10 in your textbook.
The oceans of the world provide a diverse array of environments illustrating the full complexity of the Earth System. Tectonic processes and surface processes constantly battle with each other to produce submarine and subaerial landscapes. For more information, see Geology at a Glance: Oceans and Coasts on pp. 420-421 in your textbook.