How are sandspits and Tombolos formed?
(UPSC geography optional paper 1 2019, 10 Marks)
सैंडपिट और टॉम्बोलो किस प्रकार बनते है?
Answer:
Sandspits and Tombolos both are depositional landforms created by waves in coastal areas.
The following diagram shows the Sandspit and Tombolos.
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| Tombolos and Sandspits |
Sandspits:
- Sandspits are formed by changing wave direction and bending of wave direction. Speed of wave decrease in shallow water. Later, many sediments deposited on the shoreline called Sandspits.
- It is created where water is calm. Some other landforms are derived from shelter areas of sand spits such as lagoon, saltmarsh.
- It is generally built by longshore drift across the mouth of rivers or estuaries or headland in coastal areas.
Tombolo
When Sandspit is connected from mainland to island, it is called a tombolo.
It is a depositional landform and it is formed the same as sandspits
Tombolo is a sandspit that connects an island to the mainland.
For example,
The Ram Setu or Adam bridge was Tombolo until 1500 CE. It connects Sri Lanka and India.
For Explanation, please watch the below videos:
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