Constructive waves build up the coastline by carrying sediment to shore and depositing it, while destructive waves erode the coastline by removing sediment. Physical processes like weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition are constantly changing the coastline. Erosion wears away rock and sediment by abrasion, attrition and hydraulic action, while weathering breaks rocks through corrosion and wetting/drying. The rate of erosion depends on factors like the rock type, shape of the coastline, and distance waves have traveled.
