Question

An elongated sandy deposit that extends out into open water in the direction of a longshore current is called:

• A. fore reef
• B. tombolo
• C. spit
• D. rip-rap

Hint:

Spits form from longshore drift and deposition and are often curved due to wave refraction.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

An elongated sandy deposit that extends out into open water in the direction of a longshore current is a geological formation associated with coastal processes. Let's consider the options:

1. Fore reef: Typically associated with coral reefs and does not refer to sandy deposits along shorelines.
2. Tombolo: A sandy isthmus that connects an island to the mainland or another island, but does not extend in the direction of the current; it forms due to wave refraction.
3. Spit: An accumulation of sand that extends from the shore into the open water, often in the direction of the longshore drift, fitting the description given in the question.
4. Rip-rap: A form of coastal defense made of rocks placed on beach fronts or shorelines, not a sandy deposit.

Based on these definitions, the correct answer is spit. It precisely matches the description of a sandy deposit extending in the direction of a longshore current.