1GB2 4c.1 - Nature's Fury

Question 1

What are the main features of constructive waves?

Answer 1

• They are associated with light winds and short fetches.
• The wave amplitudes (heights) are low, and wavelengths are high.
• Typically 6-9 wave crests per minute (low frequency).
• stash is stronger than backwash, encouraging deposition and resulting in beaches that are wide.

Question 2

What are the main features of destructive waves?

Answer 2

• They are formed by strong winds blown over long fetches.
• Wave amplitudes (heights) are large, wavelengths are short.
• Typically 11-15 wave crests per minute (high frequency).
• Backwash is stronger than swash, encouraging erosion, which forms beaches that are narrow.
• The beach is steep, but material is deposited offshore to form a bar.

Question 3

What is attrition?

Answer 3

Rocks banging against each other to change the shape of the rock.

Question 4

What is abrasion?

Answer 4

Almost like exfoliation when the small particles of rocks are smoothing out rocks.

Question 5

What is corrosion?

Answer 5

Chemical reaction between water and rocks to break them down.

Question 6

What is hydraulic action?

Answer 6

When air and water squeeze into rocks.