Characterisitics and formation of coastal depositional landforms

Question 1

What are beaches made up of?

Answer 1

Loose, unconsolidated sand, pebbles and cobbles

Question 2

What are the main influences on the construction of a beach?

Answer 2

Sediment supply, wave energy and wave direction

Question 3

Beaches are dynamic land forms. Why?

Answer 3

Because the profile changes quickly according to the changing wave energy.

Question 4

What are the dominant waves and sediment movements like on a swash-aligned beach

Answer 4

Dominant waves:
Waves parallel to the shore

Sediment movement:
Sediment moves on/offshore

Question 5

What are the dominant waves and sediment movements like on a drift-aligned beach

Answer 5

Dominant waves:
Waves break at an oblique angle to the shore

Sediment movement:
Longshore drift along the shore

Question 6

Zeta-formed beach

Answer 6

Dominant waves:
Waves break at an oblique angle but a headland at each end causes wave refraction blocking sediment movement

Sediment movement:
Longshore drift along the coast but sediment builds up in front of a headland