This textbook has been written for intermediate-level undergraduate students. We have attempted a level of explanation of geomorphological processes in relation to the formation of coastal landforms that is introductory, but that will also extend students’ analytical skills. We draw on examples from around the world, and many of these have a geographical bias favouring the British Isles and Australia because this is where we have undertaken much of our own research.
This second edition builds on the strengths of the first (published in 2003), but we have corrected a few errors, removed out-dated material and updated with new material, in particular related to sea level. We have also added new chapters on climate and sand dunes. New boxes and case studies in each chapter expand upon elements of the text. Also shown in the book are locations where supporting online materials are available on the publisher’s website. A headphones symbol 
indicates that answers to the reflective questions are available as mp3 files. A mouse symbol 
shows where expanded case studies and worked examples are available online. These additional resources are designed to increase students’ understanding and hopefully their interest in coastal morphodynamics.
A number of friends and colleagues have commented on aspects of the first edition of this book: Kitty Bos, Rob Brander, Jo Bullard, Bruce Hegge, Paul Kench, Gui Lessa and Wayne Stephenson. Their comments have been very useful and have greatly improved the readability of this book. We are, of course, responsible for any remaining errors, omissions, inappropriate embellishments and bad prose. We also thank the following colleagues for providing original figures for the second edition of this book: Martin Austin for Figure 8.8; Helene Burning-ham for Figure 12.1a; Giovanni Coco for Figure 1.14; Peter Cowell for Figure 8.23a; Simon Haslett for Figure 8.35; Peter Keene for Figure 10.7c; Aart Kroon for Figure 8.28b; Julian Orford for Figures 4.13b and 4.16; Andy Short for Figures 8.9a, 8.23e and 8.23f; Matt Tomczak for Figure 7.12; and Wayne Stephenson for Figure 10.13. Thanks also to Mark Szegner for cartographic assistance.
We thank the following for permission to reproduce figures: Academic Press for Figures 2.8, 8.36, 8.37, 9.10, 9.17 and 11.9; American Geographical Society for Figure 11.6; American Geophysical Union for Figures 7.21b and 10.25; Blackwell Publishers for Figures 2.2, 5.5, 5.7, 5.19a, 5.22a, 5.23b, 6.5, 6.8, 6.11b and 7.18; Butterworth Heinemann for Figure 11.3; Cambridge University Press for Figures 1.3, 1.12b, 1.15, 2.1, 7.8, 8.26a, 8.29b, 8.32, 8.33, 8.39, 9.2, 9.6, 9.7, 10.28, 11.1 and 11.5; Coastal Education and Research Foundation for Figures 4.13, 6.16, 7.9, 8.19b, 8.20, 8.27, 8.31, 10.1 and 10.12; Edward Arnold for Figures 3.12 and 8.14; Elsevier Science for Figures 3.11, 3.14, 9.15, 10.3, 10.14, 11.8 and 12.5; Geographical Association for Figure 10.5; Geological Association of Canada for Figure 8.29a; Geological Society of America for Figure 6.7, 6.9 and 11.11; Geological Society of London for Figures 9.19 and 11.4; George Allen & Unwin for Figure 5.11; Geoscience Australia for Figure 6.12; International Association of Sedimentologists for Figures 5.21 and 6.3; Irish Marine Institute for Figure 7.3; John Wiley & Sons for Figures 1.12a, 4.4, 4.20, 8.1, 8.4, 8.9a, 8.13, 8.18, 8.19a, 8.21, 8.22, 9.1, 9.14, 10.2, 10.16, 10.21, 10.23, 10.27 and 11.2b; Joint Nature Conservation Committee for Figure 10.6b; Macmillan Magazines for Figures 6.14 and 10.18; NASA for Figures 3.16, 10.19 and 12.3; Methuen for Figure 11.10; Natural Resources Canada for Figure 4.16; Oxford University Press for Figure 7.10; Parabolic Press for Figures 5.10a and 6.11a; Pearson Education for Figures 8.10 and 8.12; Routledge Education for Figure 11.2a; Springer-Verlag for Figure 5.19b; Society for Sedimentary Geology for Figures 7.2 and 7.4; Society for Sedimentary Petrology for Figure 5.23a; Taylor & Francis Books for Figures 6.2, 8.35 and 12.4; Thomas Telford for Figure 7.21a; The University of Chicago Press for Figure 1.13; University of Colorado for Figure 2.11; and US Army Corps of Engineers for Figure 4.5. In a few cases it was not possible to trace the copyright holders of figures used in this text. We apologise therefore for any copyright infringements that may have occurred.