| A spit is a narrow, extended piece of land that develops where a coastline sharply turns in towards the landmass. Attached to the coast at one end, the spit seems to grow out of it, as the movement of waves and tides deposits sand and pebbles at the angle of the landmass. The other end extends out into the sea, growing longer over time as more debris accumulates along it. |
Spit is a landform in geography that is created from the deposition of the sand by the tide movements. One end of the spit remains attached to the mainland while the other end is open out in the water. It is narrow and elongated. Also known as sandspit, this type of landform is found off the coasts or the lake shores.
Spits are usually formed when re-entrance takes place by the longshore drift process from longshore currents. When waves at an oblique angle meet the beach, drift occurs. There is a deposit of sediment in a narrow strip in zigzag pattern moving down the beach. The same waves also cause longshore currents that complement the formation of the spit.
At the re-entrance, the longshore current spreads out or dissipates and not being able to carry the full load, drops much of the sediment which is called deposition. The longshore or littoral drift continues to transport sediment with the help of this submerged bar of deposit into the open waters alongside the beach in the direction the waves are breaking
This process forms an above-water spit. The formation of spit will continue out into the sea until the water pressure obstructs in the deposition of sand. As it grows, it becomes stable and often fertile; vegetation starts to grow and supports habitation.
Credit: Earth Eclipse
Picture Credit : Google
