Coastal Environments

Question 1

Wave-cut notch

Answer 1

a groove of notch formed along to the base of the cliff when it is eroded by the sea

Question 2

Wave-cut platform definition

Answer 2

the narrow flat area found at the base of a sea cliff

Question 3

Discordant coastline definition

Answer 3

where bands of different rock types run perpendicular to the coast (90 degrees)

Question 4

Cordant coastline definition

Answer 4

where bed or layers of differing rock types are folded into ridges that run parallel to the coast.

Question 5

Abrasion definition

Answer 5

rocks rub the cliff side like sandpaper

Question 6

solution definition

Answer 6

chemically dissolving stone such as chalk or limestone.

Question 7

Attrition definition

Answer 7

rocks banging into one another in the water, making them smaller.

Question 8

Hydraulic action definition

Answer 8

Force of the water forces air and water into gaps of the cliff side.

Question 9

Types of erosion

Answer 9

Attrition, hydraulic action, solution and abrasion

Question 10

3 main coastal processes

Answer 10

mass movement, weathering and erosion

Question 11

mass movement definition

Answer 11

removal of rocks under the influence of gravity.

Question 12

Erosion definition

Answer 12

the wearing away of rocks

Question 13

constructive waves characteristics

Answer 13

swash stronger than backwash, material moved up the beach, deposition occurs, low height, long wave length.

Question 14

Destructive waves characteristics

Answer 14

backwash stronger than swash, high height, material dragged down the beach, erosion occurs, steep wave front, gains much more height than constructive waves.

Question 15

Types of weathering

Answer 15

Physical, chemical solution and biological

Question 16

Weathering definition

Answer 16

The breakdown of rocks by water, types of weather or biological action.

Question 17

Difference between weathering and erosion

Answer 17

Weathering is the wearing away of rocks

Erosion is the movement of the broken pieces away from the site of the weathering.

Question 18

freeze thaw weathering

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Headlands

Answer 19

an area of land jutting into the sea

Question 20

bays

Answer 20

a wide, coastal inlet that is open to the sea.

Question 21

cliff

Answer 21

a steep rock slope, usually facing the sea.

Question 22

Cave

Answer 22

a hollow cut by the sea into the base of the cliff.

Question 23

Arch

Answer 23

a coastal feature formed by the meeting of two caves cut into either side of a headland.

Question 24

Stack

Answer 24

a detached column of rock located just off-shore and usually caused by the collapse of an arch.

Question 25

Beach

Answer 25

accumulation of sand and shingle found where deposition occurs along the coast.

Question 26

Spit

Answer 26

long narrow beaches of sand or shingle that are attached to the land at one end.

Question 27

Bar

Answer 27

a spit that has built across a bay to link two headlands.

Question 28

Tombolo

Answer 28

spits that have continued to grow seawards until they reach and join an island.

Question 29

Cuspate foreland

Answer 29

triangular-shaped accumulations of sand and shingle that extend seawards.

Question 30

Sand dunes

Answer 30

ridges or hills of sand found at the top of a beach, above the usual maximum reach of the waves.

Question 31

distribution

Answer 31

pattern of location, how something is spread out

Question 32

Ecosystem

Answer 32

natural system that comprises a community of plant and animals that interact with each other and their physical environment.

Question 33

Mangrove

Answer 33

Trees or shrubs which live on the coastline.

Question 34

coral reef

Answer 34

Reefs are formed of colonies of of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate.

Question 35

salt marsh

Answer 35

Found in the intertidal zone, characterised by salt tolerant plants.

Question 36

abiotic

Answer 36

non-living components within an ecosystem

Question 37

biotic

Answer 37

living components within an ecosystem.

Question 38

Intertidal

Answer 38

The area above water level at low tide and underwater at high tide.