Beaches - lithosphere

Question 1

Beaches

Answer 1

the build up of wave deposited material between the low water mark and the highest points reached by storm waves at the high water mark

Question 2

2 main types of beaches

Answer 2

• Bayhead beaches: form from sediments deposited in bays (between 2 headlands), headlands on either side restrict lateral movement of sediments
• Lateral: form a straight coastline where sediments can be moved along their length by longshore drift

Question 3

Features of coastal deposition

Answer 3

• Beaches
• Sand spits: common along indented coastlines where the bays are, main process is longshore drift, may develop hooked/curved ends, waves bend
• sand bars: occurs where longshore drift continues in a straight line across a bay, same process as sand spit but continues to reach headland at the other side of bay, can become stabilised and will trap the water behind the bar
• Tombolos: formed the same way as bar/spit; longshore drift continues past the turning point of the coastline and deposits beach material until it reaches an offshore island, forms a link

Question 4

Longshore drift

Answer 4

the movement of sediments along the coastline

Question 5

Groynes

Answer 5

• allow sand and shingle to build up on one side of a groyne as an effective way of conserving beach sediments
• the downwards stretch of shoreline is now deprived of material and this may result in increased erosion