2.4 - Getting it white (White Rocks)

Question 1

What are some properties of the White rocks?

Answer 1

They are located in Northern Ireland, made from ulster limestone and chalk. Protected from storm waves by the Skerries. Basalt rock cap protects it from sub- aerial erosion.

Question 2

What is a headland?

Answer 2

A section of land/narrow piece of land that projects from a coastline into the sea.

Question 3

What is a wave-cut notch and how is it formed?

Answer 3

The process of cliff erosion. Weather weakens the top of the cliff. The sea attacks the base of the cliff forming a wave-cut notch. The notch increases in size causing the cliff to collapse.

Question 4

Explain the caves, arches, stacks and stumps formation?

Answer 4

Caves occur when waves force their way into cracks in the cliff face. The water contains sand and other materials that grind away at the rock until the cracks become a cave. Hydraulic action occurs.
If the cave is formed in a headland, it may eventually break through to the other side forming an arch.
The arch will gradually become bigger until it can no longer support the top of the arch. When the arch collapses, it leaves the headland on one side and a stack (a tall column of rock) on the other.
The stack will be attacked at the base in the same way that a wave-cut notch is formed. This weakens the structure and it will eventually collapse to form a stump.

Question 5

What are the 4 Erosional processes?

Answer 5

Hydraulic action
Attrition
Abrasion
Corrosion

Question 6

What is a bay?

Answer 6

A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, lake, or another bay.

Question 7

Explain Hydraulic action?

Answer 7

Hydraulic action is the erosion that occurs when the motion of water against a rock surface produces mechanical weathering. Most generally, it is the ability of moving water (flowing or waves) to dislodge and transport rock particles.

Question 8

Explain Attrition?

Answer 8

Waves smash rocks and pebbles on the shore into each other, and they break and become smoother.

Question 9

Explain Abrasion?

Answer 9

Bits of rock and sand in waves grind down cliff surfaces like sandpaper. Due to constant hitting on the cliff-face.

Question 10

Explain corrosion?

Answer 10

Water dissolves minerals from the rocks and washes them away.