Coastal

Question 1

Cliff and Wave Cut Platform

Answer 1

Waves attack the foot of the cliff through hydraulic action and abrasion. Over time this creates a wave cut notch. As the cliff gets bigger the cliff is left unsupported and collapses due to gravity. This continues and the cliff retreats and increases in height. The gentle sloping expanse of retreating cliff is called a wave cut platform

Question 2

Long Shore Drift / Deposition

Answer 2

Longshore drift is the method by which sand and pebbles are transported along a coastline. When waves approach the coastline at an angle the sand and pebbles will be carried up the beach (swash) and then moves back down (backwash) at right angles. The result is a zig zag motion along the beach which moves sand and pebbles along a coastline

Question 3

Sandspit and Sandbar

Answer 3

Longshore Drift moves material along the coast in a zig zag fashion. When the material reaches a break in the coastline such as a river estuary or a bay it will deposit material to form a long narrow line of shingle called a spit. If the sandspit reaches the other side of the headland it forms a sandbar. A lagoon forms in behind the bar. If a spit grows out across the sea and joins onto land it becomes a tombolo

Question 4

Headlands and Bays

Answer 4

A headland is an area of land that juts out to sea and is surrounded by sea on all 3 sides. Headlands form in coastlines with soft rocks and hard rocks which cause differential erosion. Hard resistant rocks are more difficult to erode that soft rocks. Hard rocks like limestone form headland and soft rock like clay form bays. Softer rocks can be eroded faster by hydraulic action and abrasion