Spits One coastal landform resulting from both the constructive and destructive forces of the ocean is a spit.
Spits are elongate ridges of sand or gravel that project from land and end in open water.
The development of spits is mainly related to a type of wave-induced current called a longshore current . A longshore current is caused by waves that strike the beach diagonally, and as a result, move sediment parallel to the shoreline. Such wave action along the shore will erode and carry particles until they reach the tranquil, deep waters of bays, estuaries or the open ocean. The particles are then dropped and deposited due to a decrease in velocity. Spits are essentially seaward continuations of beaches and will continuously expand in the direction of the longshore current unless other water motions or human influences interfere with the growth process.