Classification

Question 1

What is the littoral zone?

Answer 1

A zone of dynamic equilibrium with many inputs, processes and outputs causing rapid change. It consists of backshore, foreshore, nearshore and offshore zones.

Question 2

What are the characteristics of high-energy coasts?

Answer 2

-Destructive waves, stormy conditions, long fetches.
-Large amounts of erosion and transportation, sediments from eroded land, mass movement and weathering, supplied by offshore currents.
-Cliffs, wave-cut platforms, arches, sea caves, stacks.
-Exposed to largest waves, highland and lowland coasts, rocky landscapes.

Question 3

What are the characteristics of low-energy coasts?

Answer 3

-Constructive waves, calmer conditions, long fetches.
-Deposition and transport, sediments from rivers, longshore drift and nearshore currents.
-Beaches, spits, bars, sand dunes, mudflats, salt marshes.
-Sheltered from large waves, lowland coasts, coastal plain landscapes.

Question 4

What rock types are resistant?

Answer 4

Igneous.
Sedimentary.
Metamorphic.

Question 5

Describe concordant coastlines.

Answer 5

They occur when the folding/arrangement of alternating hard and soft rocks is parallel to the coast. (Dalmatian coastline type).
This means more resistant rocks form elongated islands, while less resistant rocks form long inlets/coves.

Question 6

Describe discordant coastlines.

Answer 6

They occur when the folding/arrangement of alternating hard and soft rock at right angles to the coast.
This means more resistant rocks form headlands while less resistant rocks form bays or inlets.

Question 7

What are haff coastlines?

Answer 7

A type of concordant coast found on the Southern Baltic coastline. Long ridges of mud and sand form parallel to the shoreline, with lagoons (haffs) behind them.

Question 8

Why are headlands more eroded than bays?

Answer 8

Wave refraction- the wave energy is focused on headlands while less resistant rocks form bays. Over time the coastline smooths.