Explain four factors that influence the development of coasts.

- Climate of an area will determine the growth of coral polyps. Coral coast develop in tropical regions of the world or fiord coasts were formed as a result of ice erosion in areas that experienced very cold climates.
- Nature of the coastal rocks will either encourage rapid erosion or reduce the speed of erosion. Hard rocks result in the formation of cliffs while less resistant rocks results in the formation of inlets or bays.
- The gradient or slope of the coast. Steep coast encourages wave erosion
resulting in the formation of cliffs and wave cut platforms. Gently sloping coasts cause increased deposition resulting in the formation of beaches.
- Alignment of the coast in relation to the prevailing winds will either cause wave erosion or deposition.
- The rise in the level of sea results in drowning features along the coast to give rise to new features or landforms. The fall in the sea level exposes features that were once covered by the water.
- Human activities interfere with the natural states
and appearance of the coasts.
- Nature of waves. Where waves are destructive the coast is characterized by erosional features. Where waves are constructive the coast is characterized by depositional features