4.3 C - Sediment transport and deposition

Question 1

What is the difference between traction, saltation, suspension and solution?

Answer 1

Traction is large bits of rock rolling on the river bed
Saltation is very small bits bouncing along the floor
Suspension small bits of clay floating along
Solution is materials dissolved in the water

Question 2

Explain the stages in how Long Shore Drift (LSD) works.

Answer 2

Waves hit the shore according to the prevailing wind direction which is usually at an angle to the beach. The swash carries material up the beach at this angle and swash brings it back to sea at a right angle. This repeats and so the material zig-zags its way down the beach

Question 3

Explain the stages in how a spit forms?

Answer 3

Spits form at sharp bends where LSD keeps moving material past the coast out to sea. After a while, strong waves can curve the end of the spit(recurved end) which also creates a slightly sheltered area which might become a salt marsh

Question 4

Describe what the characteristics are of a spit

Answer 4

It is a bit of beach that just out further than the coast and curves round a corner

Question 5

Explain how beaches form?

Answer 5

Constructive waves are slow waves that loose too much energy so they cannot carry any more materials so deposit it at beaches. They bring up (swash) materials like sand and shingle which builds up beaches and dont take (backwash) many back

Question 6

Explain the stages in the formation of a bar

Answer 6

A bar is formed when a spit joins two headlands together. The bar cuts off the bay from the sea. This means the bay becomes a lagoon