Explain the formation of a spit and any modifications it may experience

A spit is a depositional landform that is a long, narrow beach comprising of sand or shingle, extending out from the mainland across an estuary. This landform is formed by longshore drift in the dominant wind direction, allowing eroded sediment to be transported from the proximal end of the spit to the distal end where it is deposited. Longshore drift transports sediment along the coastline in the direction of prevailing wind, carried by swash and the deposition of sediment occurs when there is a decrease in the water’s velocity – commonly at estuaries as the flow of water into the sea is stronger than the drift, causing the build-up of sediment and therefore growth of the spit.Spits can experience modifications during their formation, affecting their shape. Changes in the prevailing wind direction will coincide with the wave direction and therefore curved distal end; in addition to abrupt and short changes in the wind direction, resulting in the formation of laterals. The area that forms behind laterals is sheltered from the wind and waves and allows for the development of additional depositional landforms, including mudflats and salt marshes on the leeward side of the spit. Additional modifications can also impact the formation of a spit, for example in storm events, erosion will exceed deposition for short periods of time, resulting in the removal of material from the spit.