Coastal Landscape Development- Sea Level Change

Question 1

Eustatic Change

Answer 1

A global change in sea level from the rise and fall in sea level itself

Question 2

2 Causes of Eustatic Change

Answer 2

Thermal expansion

Land ice melt

Question 3

Isostatic Change

Answer 3

Local changes to sea level from land rising and falling relative to sea

Question 4

2 Causes of Isostatic Change

Answer 4

Slow uplift of land after glacials

Subsidence after groundwater abstraction

Question 5

Sea Level Sequence

Answer 5

Decrease in global temperature
Ice accumulates
Decrease in volume of water available to fill oceans
EUSTATIC FALL
Sea level partly moderated by ice forcing land mass down
ISOSTATIC CHANGE
Increased temperature, ice melts, increased sea levels
EUSTATIC CHANGE
Increased sea levels flood some coastlines- submergent land forms
Ice fully removed
ISOSTATIC REBOUND
Prolonged rebound- emergent land forms

Question 6

Emergence

Answer 6

Rising coastline

Mainly due to isostatic rebound

Question 7

Raised Beach

Answer 7

Decrease in sea level, beach above high tide mark

Sediment vegetated overtime, soil develops

Question 8

Marine Platform

Answer 8

Wave cut platform, now raised above current level

Gently sloping in front of relict cliff

Question 9

Relict Cliff

Answer 9

Above raised beaches, no longer eroded by the sea
Contains wave cut notches, arches, stacks
Slowly covered by vegetation
Gradually weathered

Question 10

Submergence

Answer 10

Sinking coastline

Eustatic change

Question 11

Rias

Answer 11

River valley partially submerged

Gentle, long cross profile

Question 12

Fjords

Answer 12

Drowned glacial valleys
Steep sides
Very deep inland, shallow at threshold

Question 13

Dalmatian Coasts

Answer 13

Valleys parallel to coast

Flooded, creating islands parallel to coastline

Question 14

Negative impacts of climate change

Answer 14

Storms with increased frequency and intensity
Coastal flooding
Submergence of low lying islands
Contamination of water sources and farmland
Increased coastal erosion

Question 15

Storms with increased frequency and intensity

Answer 15

Changes in ocean circulation and wind patterns

Damages ecosystems and settlements

Question 16

Submergence of low lying islands

Answer 16

MALDIVES

Question 17

Contamination of water sources and farmland

Answer 17

Saltwater enters freshwater lakes and rivers, damages ecosystems
Saltwater enters soils and damages crops
80,000m2 lost in Holderness each year

Question 18

Increased coastal erosion

Answer 18

Road, rail at risk

Easington Gas Terminal at risk- 25% of UK gas

Question 19

Positive impacts of climate change

Answer 19

Energy generation
Physical and mental health benefits
Trade links

Question 20

Energy generation

Answer 20

Coastal regions generate 20% of UK energy

Tidal power: Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon

Question 21

Trade links

Answer 21

Ice melt opened up West Passage and Northern Sea Routes along Russia’s Arctic coastline
Increases international trade
Decreased fuel for ships- Japan to Holland fuel consumption reduced by 20%

Question 22

Tectonic Change

Answer 22

Opening and closing of ocean basins

Larger = lower sea levels

Question 23

Changes to Sea Level in Last 10,000 Years

Answer 23

Glacial until 12,000 years ago- water stored in ice sheets, lower sea levels than present
Temp increases, ice melts- rapid sea level rise
In last 4,000 years sea level has fluctuated around present value