1. Systems In Physcical Geography

Question 1

What is the coastal system?

Answer 1

A set of interrelated events of components working together

Consists of inputs, outputs, stores with flows, and transfers between them

Question 2

What makes the coast an open system?

Answer 2

It has inputs, stores/components, flows/transfers and outputs of energy and matter which can cross the boundary of the system to the surrounding environment

Question 3

What is the result of the combination of all the factors in an open system?

Answer 3

Distinctive landscapes
Made up of erosional and depositional landforms
Reflect human activity

Question 4

Define dynamic.

Answer 4

Constantly changing

Question 5

What is dynamic equilibrium?

Answer 5

Balance between inputs and outputs

If changes do occur, feedbacks will allow for correction

Question 6

Give examples of what could upset the balance of dynamic equilibrium?

Answer 6

Mass movement (landslides)
Storms
Weathering
Human activity

Question 7

What is positive feedback?

Answer 7

Progressively greater change from the original condition of the system

Question 8

What is negative feedback?

Answer 8

The system is returned to its original condition

Question 9

What are the inputs in a coastal system?

Answer 9

Energy (waves, wind, tides, sea currents)
Sediment
Geology of coastline
Sea level change

Question 10

What converts inputs into the components that make up the coastal system?

Answer 10

Erosional processes
Depositional processes (wind and water transport)

Question 11

What are the two main components in a coastal system?

Answer 11

Erosional landforms and landscapes

Depositional landforms and landscapes

Question 12

What are the main outputs in a coastal system?

Answer 12

Dissipation in wave energy
Accumulation of sediment above the tidal limit
Sediment removed beyond local sediment cells

Question 13

Give an example of a negative feedback system.

Answer 13

Storm results in an increase in weathering and mass movement
Erosion of the slope becomes tester than transportation power of the waves
A scree slope is formed at the base of the cliff
The slope acts to protect the cliff from further weathering and erosion

Question 14

Give an example of a positive feedback system.

Answer 14

Deposition occurs to form a spit across a river estuary
Further river velocity reduction
Leads to an increase in spit head material accumulation
Velocity of the river is further reduced due to increased friction with the deposited sand
(Back to beginning)

Question 15

What is a closed system?

Answer 15

One with inputs and outputs of energy but not matter

Eg the earth, energy flows in from the sun but matter remains within the boundaries of the atmosphere

Question 16

What is an isolated system?

Answer 16

One that has no inputs or outputs of either energy or matter

Question 17

What is a feedback mechanism?

Answer 17

A process that uses the conduction of one component to regulate the other
(change in one part of the system leads to change in another part)

Question 18

Give an example of dynamic equilibrium.

Answer 18

Constructive waves build up a beach, making it steeper
This encourages waves to plunge to become more destructive
The destructive waves remove material which is redistributed to the sea
This reduces the angle of the beach which encourages more constructive waves
(Back to beginning)

Question 19

What is the backshore?

Answer 19

Area between the high water mark and the landward limit of marine activity
Changes usually only take place here during storms

Question 20

What is the foreshore?

Answer 20

Area between the high water mark and the low water mark

Location of most marine processes

Question 21

What is the inshore?

Answer 21

Area between the low water mark and the point where waves cease to have any influence in the land beneath them

Question 22

What is the offshore?

Answer 22

Area beyond the point where waves cease to impact the land beneath
Activity is limited to deposition of sediments

Question 23

What is the nearshore?

Answer 23

Area extending seaward from the high water mark to where waves begin to break
Comprised of the swash zone, surf zone and breaker zone

Question 24

Describe the three zones of the nearshore.

Answer 24

Swash zone- area where a turbulent layer of water washes up the beach following the breaking of a wave
Surf zone- area between the point where waves break, forming a bubbly surface, and where waves move up the beach as swash
Breaker zone- area where waves approaching the coastline begin to break, around 5 to 10 m water depth