What describes the transport of sand and pebbles along the coast?

Longshore drift refers to the process by which sand and pebbles are transported along the coastline parallel to the shore. This movement is primarily driven by wave action. When waves approach the shore at an angle, they carry sediment up the beach in the swash zone. As the waves recede, gravity pulls the sediment back down the beach at a right angle to the shoreline, resulting in a zigzag pattern of sediment movement along the coast.

Understanding longshore drift is important for coastal processes because it shapes the features of the coastline and can influence coastal erosion and sediment deposition patterns. Effective management of beaches often relies on knowledge of longshore drift to prevent erosion and maintain beach health, as this process continually redistributes materials along coastlines.