Littoral materials are also moved alongshore by another process. The waves generate a somewhat
weak, downdrift-moving current in the breaker zone, but the turbulence places material temporarily in
suspension and permits the alongshore current to carry it downdrift. The material generally settles out
again within a short distance, but the next wave provides the necessary turbulence for additional
movement. The downdrift movement of material is thus caused by zig-zig motion up and down the
beach, and the turbulence and action of the wave-generated alongshore current.
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