CH.12 Flashcards
Sea stacks
A geological landform consisting of a steep and often vertical column or columns of rock in the sea near a coast, isolated by erosion.
Sea cliffs
Caused by low tide wave action
Sea caves
A type of cave formed primarily by the wave action of the sea
Sea arches
A natural geological formation where a rock arch forms, with an opening underneath.
Blowholes
Formed as sea caves grow land wards and upwards into vertical shafts and expose themselves towards the surface, which can result in blasts of water from the top
Sand spits
Sand deposition downstream of a headland
Tombolos
Sand creating bridge to off-shore feature
Groins
Manmade structures designed to limit longshore drift.
Berms
Sediment accumulation by wave action
Beach scarps
Wall from furthest berm caused by highest tide
Rip currents
When waves enter faster than they can leave. A narrow channel of outflowing water forms
Long shore drift
The transportation of sediments along a coast at an angle to the shoreline which is dependent on prevailing wind direction , Shawshank and backwash.
Atolls (bora bora is a good example of an island forming into one)
A coral island that encircles a lagoon partially or completely
Barrier islands (Miami Beach)
2sand deposition apart from mainland
Fringing reefs
Corals that cling to land
Barrier reefs
As land subsides or erodes away, lagoon separates reef and land
Deltas
Sediment deposits at river mouth. Can only form if sediment deposit is greater than removal.
How are coasts classified?
By processes shaping them
What is the most influential agent in changing the shoreline?
Coasts
what is the difference between a high energy and low energy coast?
High energy coast: larger waves caused by continuous storms.
Low energy coast: sediments accumulate on shore.
How does refraction play a role in shaping coasts?
Erodes protruding regions first
Where do most of the minerals in the sands of most continental beaches come from?
Shelf exposed
What problems face many of the beaches in the United States and what is being done about it?
2
What is an estuary and describe the biological activity in them? (High or low)
2
Drowned river mouth
2
Fjord
Valley caught by glaciers. They are depressions filled in with water created by retreating glaciers
Bar-built
4
Tectonic
6
What are moraines?
Any glacially formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris(solid and rock) which can occur in currently glaciated and formerly glaciated regions, such as those areas acted upon by a past glacial maximum
What does Martha’s Vineyard have to do with glaciers?
Location of the furthest advance of the last glaciers.
