Coast- Glossary Flashcards
Systems
Is a set of interrelated components working together towards some kind of process
Open systems
A systems that has inputs and outputs
Inputs
The addition of matter and/or energy into a system
Component/store
A part of the system where energy/mass is stored or transformed
Flow/transfer
A form of linkage between one store and another that involves movement of energy or mass
Output
Elements leaving a system
Dynamic equilibrium
A balance between inputs and outputs
Feedback
When the effects of an action are amplified or nullified
Backshore
The part of the beach lying between the foreshore and coastline.
Foreshore
The foreshore is the part of the shore/beach which is wet due to the varying tide and wave run-up under normal conditions
Inshore
The area between the low water mark and the point where the waves cease to have any influence on the land around them.
Offshore
The area beyond the point where waves cease to impact the seabed and in which activity is limited to the deposition of sediments.
Swash
The rush of water up the beach after a wave breaks
Surf zone
The zone within which waves approaching the coastline are breaking.
Erosion
The wearing away of the earths surface by mechanical action of processes
Fetch
Refers to the distance of open water over which a wind blows uninterrupted by major lad obstacles. The length of fetch helps to determine the magnitude and energy of the eaves reaching the coast
Mass movement
The movement of material downhill under influence of gravity but may also be assisted by rainfall
Weathering
The breakdown of rocks in-stu
Prevailing Wind
Prevailing winds are winds that blow from a single direction over a specific area of the Earth.
Abrasion
Where material carried by moving water or wind hits exposed rock surfaces, thus wearing them away
Wave height
is the difference between the elevations of a crest and a neighbouring trough
Wavelength
is the horizontal distance between two crests or troughs.
Wave frequency
is the number of crests or troughs passing a stationary point per second.
Backwash
The action of water receding back down the beach towards the sea
Constructive Wave
Waves with a low wave neight, but a long wavelength and a low frequency of around 6-8/min. Their swash tends to be more powerful than their backwash and as a consequence beach material is built up
