C -> 2.3 - 2.6 Flashcards
cliff erosion discordant cliff
- groundwater flows through the permeable sands but can’t flow through the impermeable clay, water flow along the sand/clay interface weakens the material leading to slumping
- surface runoff erosion where groundwater emerges on to the cliff face (impermeable clay)
- wave cut notch formed in weaker coal, siltstone overhangs the notch
- resistant rock at the cliff base creates a ‘bench’ feature
result is
scree slopes in most of the bays
black lower basalt caps underlying chalk which
protects it from weathering - this can be seen at white rocks further along coast
white rocks
- ulster limestone chalk
- protected from storm waves by the skerries
- basalt rock cap (on top) protects from sub aerial erosion
- series of cliffs, caves, arches, stacks, stumps - Gulls Point/ Sliddery cove
cave/arch/stack/ stumps process
- starts with headland/ land sticking out of sea
- headland makes the waves refract
- erosion processes are concentrated on weak points on the sides of the headland
- hydraulic action/abrasoion then form caves on the side
- caves meet, forming tunnel
- tunnel comes arch, which gets bigger til top of arch collapses and stack remains
- wave erode stack, stack unstable and collapses, leaving a base
cliffs and shore platforms
- starts at the base of a cliff
- cliffs are vertical slopes
- breaking waves (swash) erode away at cliff material
- curved-notch forms along the length of the cliff, weaker points might get caves
- rock above Is unsupported and collapses
- cliff line retreats (recession)
- leaving behind a flat/ slightly sloping area of rock - shore platform
- this platform is subject to weathering and erosion
- platforms could be left with so lots of rock pools or small ridges where rock is less/ more resistant
marine erosion
- often at headland sites
- wave cut notch and platform formation
- rate of erosion/debris varies over time
sub aerial weathering
- often at the back shore of bays
- refraction means lower marine energy
- cliff degradation increases from above
marine erosion dominated profile
steep face
active undercutting
limited cliff base debris
subaerial process dominated profile
curved slope profile
lower angle face
accumulated debris
Dunluce
- near horizontal/slightly dipping landward strata (17o)
- 100% basalt (agglomerate) near cliff
- 25% chalk near sea
- high tide
- constructive waves (0.7)
- variable subaerial weathering
positive feedback
process or mechanism that causes a change to be increased or exaggerated in the future, taking it further away from dynamic equilibrium, eg during the formation of a sport, the deposition shelters area behind it, encourage further deposition
negative feedback
process or mechanism that balances change by causing it to be reduced or dampened in the future eg a rockfall due to wave erosion, may protect the base of the cliff and reduce the amount if erosion
example of equilibrium part 1
- complex cliff profile = different rock types = permeability varies
eg, Causeway: UB (entablature + colonnade)/ laterite/ LB - water permeates through upper basalt (pervious) + laterite (porous), but not LB (impermeable)
- LB undercut by marine erosion, whilst laterite is saturated with rainwater from above = heavier
- heavy laterite stress> strength, with lubricated being plane = mass movement
example of equilibrium part 2
- material falls into the bays/ onto the wave cut platforms and absorbs wave energy
- materials break down = used fo abrasion on cliff, until disappears
- waves attack cliff again = wave cut notch/ platform with cliff retreat = equilibrium
- until tectonics/ isostatic rebound/ eustatic sea level changes whole situation