Coast- Glossary

Question 1

Systems

Answer 1

Is a set of interrelated components working together towards some kind of process

Question 2

Open systems

Answer 2

A systems that has inputs and outputs

Question 3

Inputs

Answer 3

The addition of matter and/or energy into a system

Question 4

Component/store

Answer 4

A part of the system where energy/mass is stored or transformed

Question 5

Flow/transfer

Answer 5

A form of linkage between one store and another that involves movement of energy or mass

Question 6

Output

Answer 6

Elements leaving a system

Question 7

Dynamic equilibrium

Answer 7

A balance between inputs and outputs

Question 8

Feedback

Answer 8

When the effects of an action are amplified or nullified

Question 9

Backshore

Answer 9

The part of the beach lying between the foreshore and coastline.

Question 10

Foreshore

Answer 10

The foreshore is the part of the shore/beach which is wet due to the varying tide and wave run-up under normal conditions

Question 11

Inshore

Answer 11

The area between the low water mark and the point where the waves cease to have any influence on the land around them.

Question 12

Offshore

Answer 12

The area beyond the point where waves cease to impact the seabed and in which activity is limited to the deposition of sediments.

Question 13

Swash

Answer 13

The rush of water up the beach after a wave breaks

Question 14

Surf zone

Answer 14

The zone within which waves approaching the coastline are breaking.

Question 15

Erosion

Answer 15

The wearing away of the earths surface by mechanical action of processes

Question 16

Fetch

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Mass movement

Answer 17

The movement of material downhill under influence of gravity but may also be assisted by rainfall

Question 18

Weathering

Answer 18

The breakdown of rocks in-stu

Question 19

Prevailing Wind

Answer 19

Prevailing winds are winds that blow from a single direction over a specific area of the Earth.

Question 20

Abrasion

Answer 20

Where material carried by moving water or wind hits exposed rock surfaces, thus wearing them away

Question 21

Wave height

Answer 21

is the difference between the elevations of a crest and a neighbouring trough

Question 22

Wavelength

Answer 22

is the horizontal distance between two crests or troughs.

Question 23

Wave frequency

Answer 23

is the number of crests or troughs passing a stationary point per second.

Question 24

Backwash

Answer 24

The action of water receding back down the beach towards the sea

Question 25

Constructive Wave

Answer 25

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