3.6 - Seaing the future (New York)

Question 1

Why is New York going to suffer with so much flooding?

Answer 1

Particularly because the coastlines are low-lying

Question 2

Why are the coasts low-lying?

Answer 2

Because they are coastal plains, such as beaches - makes it good access for trade and tourism

Question 3

What are the human causes of flood risk?

Answer 3

Mangrove deforestation (e.g. woods and charcoal) and this reduces wave height and stabilised sediment 
Groundwater extraction, causes subsidence 
River straightening (e.g. for navigation)

Question 4

How do waves impact coastal recession?

Answer 4

The higher the energy, the higher the rate of coastal recession
Waves are the result of the speed of the wind, length of the fetch and the distance over the sea

Question 5

How does lithology impact coastal recession?

Answer 5

If the coast is made of a more resistant type of rock (granite), the erosion rate will be lower than if the coast is made of a less resistant type of rock (boulder clay)

Question 6

How does the structure of the rock impact coastal recession?

Answer 6

Rocks parallel to the coastline (concordant), means the sea will only be able to break through more resistant rocks in a few places
Discordant rocks are less resistant rocks are exposed and will erode more quickly and a clear pattern of headlands and bays will emerge

Question 7

How does beach material impact coastal recession?

Answer 7

Shingle and pebbles allow more water to infiltrate and cause more wave energy to be lost due to friction Sandy beaches allow less infiltration and cause less friction and so allow for a higher rate of recession

Question 8

How does a wider beach impact the rate of coastal recession?

Answer 8

Wider beach - more wave energy to be lost due to friction before the waves can break, less recession
Narrow beach - breaking point of the waves is closer to the coastline, and less energy will have been lost due to friction before they break, more recession