Coastal Environments Flashcards
Wave-cut notch
a groove of notch formed along to the base of the cliff when it is eroded by the sea
Wave-cut platform definition
the narrow flat area found at the base of a sea cliff
Discordant coastline definition
where bands of different rock types run perpendicular to the coast (90 degrees)
Cordant coastline definition
where bed or layers of differing rock types are folded into ridges that run parallel to the coast.
Abrasion definition
rocks rub the cliff side like sandpaper
solution definition
chemically dissolving stone such as chalk or limestone.
Attrition definition
rocks banging into one another in the water, making them smaller.
Hydraulic action definition
Force of the water forces air and water into gaps of the cliff side.
Types of erosion
Attrition, hydraulic action, solution and abrasion
3 main coastal processes
mass movement, weathering and erosion
mass movement definition
removal of rocks under the influence of gravity.
Erosion definition
the wearing away of rocks
constructive waves characteristics
swash stronger than backwash, material moved up the beach, deposition occurs, low height, long wave length.
Destructive waves characteristics
backwash stronger than swash, high height, material dragged down the beach, erosion occurs, steep wave front, gains much more height than constructive waves.
Types of weathering
Physical, chemical solution and biological
Weathering definition
The breakdown of rocks by water, types of weather or biological action.
Difference between weathering and erosion
Weathering is the wearing away of rocks
Erosion is the movement of the broken pieces away from the site of the weathering.
freeze thaw weathering
water is trapped in the joints in the rock. When the temperature drops and the water freezes it expands and puts pressure on the rock.
Headlands
an area of land jutting into the sea
bays
a wide, coastal inlet that is open to the sea.
cliff
a steep rock slope, usually facing the sea.
Cave
a hollow cut by the sea into the base of the cliff.
Arch
a coastal feature formed by the meeting of two caves cut into either side of a headland.
Stack
a detached column of rock located just off-shore and usually caused by the collapse of an arch.
Beach
accumulation of sand and shingle found where deposition occurs along the coast.
Spit
long narrow beaches of sand or shingle that are attached to the land at one end.
Bar
a spit that has built across a bay to link two headlands.
Tombolo
spits that have continued to grow seawards until they reach and join an island.
Cuspate foreland
triangular-shaped accumulations of sand and shingle that extend seawards.
Sand dunes
ridges or hills of sand found at the top of a beach, above the usual maximum reach of the waves.
distribution
pattern of location, how something is spread out
Ecosystem
natural system that comprises a community of plant and animals that interact with each other and their physical environment.
Mangrove
Trees or shrubs which live on the coastline.
coral reef
Reefs are formed of colonies of of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate.
salt marsh
Found in the intertidal zone, characterised by salt tolerant plants.
abiotic
non-living components within an ecosystem
biotic
living components within an ecosystem.
Intertidal
The area above water level at low tide and underwater at high tide.
