Coastal Changes And Conflict Flashcards
When is a discordant coastline created?
When waves hit a coastline composed of hard and soft rock
When are concordant coastlines formed?
When the rock type is the same parallel to the coast
How do coves form?
Wave energy erodes joints and faults in resistant rock and expands them as this section of rock is weaker and easier to erode, the sea then reaches and erodes softer rock behind which can be eroded more quickly than the hard rock
How do headlands and bays form?
On a discordant coastline there are layers of resistant rock and less resistant rock which erode at different rates
How do stumps form?
Cracks are opened up by hydraulic action then grow into a cave by hydraulic action and abrasion which breaks through the headland to form a natural arch, the arch is eroded leaving a stack which is eroded to form a stump
How is a wave cut platform created?
Hydraulic action opens cracks in the rock and this area becomes more resistant to erosion which forms a wave cut notch, the wave cut notch becomes too deep and the cliff face falls but the process of hydraulic action continued which causes the cliff to recede
What happens to the process of erosion on a wave cut platform?
It decreases
What is longshore drift?
The movement of material along the coast by waves which approach it at an angle but recede directly away from it
What is a factor affecting the amount of material deposited by long shore drift?
Amount of wind
When are spits formed?
When longshore drift is fuelled by a strong prevailing wind blowing at an angle to the coastline
What is a spit?
An narrow extended stretch of beach material which projects out to sea and is joined to mainland at one end
When is a spit prevented growing any further?
When the river outlet removes material
Why do recurved laterals form?
Change in wind direction
Why do salt marshes form?
Due to deposition behind spit which is an area sheltered from wind and waves
Why do bars form?
When there is no river to prevent the spit’s movement continuing meaning it extends across a bay and leaves a lagoon behind it
How do storm beaches form?
Found behind normal beaches and are composed of pebbles because storm waves penetrate further and carry heavier sediment
Why don’t sand dunes get blown away?
The grasses planted on them stabilise them
Two examples of ecosystems
Lagoons, marshes
What are 4 negative affects of development on a coastline?
Housing and offices change the look of an area, weight of buildings increases cliff vulnerability, changes in drainage increase saturation, pollution due to increase of people
What are 2 positive affects of development on a coastline?
Money brought to area, raises interest in protecting coastal landscapes
What are 4 negative affects of agriculture on a coastline?
Vegetation changed as it is cleared and crops are grown in its place, soil erosion, increased sedimentation, fertilisers and pesticides seep into local water supplies
What is a positive affect of agriculture on a coastline?
Wildlife habitats created and preserved
What are 3 negative affects of industry on a coastline?
Sea industries locate on the coast which alters the look of an area, cause soil water and air pollution, destroy natural habitats for birds animals and sea life
What is are 2 positive affects of management on a coastline?
Coastal defences slow erosion, some sand dunes and salt marshes and sand bars and spits are preserved
What is a negative affect of management on a coastline?
Stops the supply of sediment through longshore drift to areas further along the coastline
What are two reasons sea levels are rising?
Glaciers melt and water enters seas and oceans, water in seas and oceans is warming which has a larger volume than cold water because the particles vibrate (thermal expansion)
When is coastal flooding worst?
When the spring tide and very low pressure coincide for example during a depression or cyclone
What happens to the surface of the sea in low pressure?
The surface domes and wind blows the dome of water towards the land as a storm surge
How often do high tides occur?
Twice a day
How often do spring tides occur?
Twice a month
What is hard engineering?
The use of solid structure to resist the forces of erosion
What is soft engineering?
The use of natural processes to cope with forces of erosion
How does rip rap/rock armour work?
Large rocks at the foot of cliffs absorb and dissipate wave energy, igneous rocks provide most resistance to erosion
How do recurved sea walls work?
Long concrete walls at the base of cliffs absorb wave energy and have a recurved face to reflect it back into the sea