Coastal environments Flashcards
Define a coast
A coast is a narrow zone where the land and sea meet and interact in various ways.
Why are coastal zones constantly changing?
Because of the dynamic interaction between the oceans and the land.
What four factors affect coastal development
- Marine factors
- Human factors
- Atmospheric factors
- Terrestrial factors
Why are coasts so important to humans?
- Industry
- Tourism
- Settlement
- Leisure and recreation
- Trade
- Fishing - food supply
How will climate change affect the coastline?
- The future threats of sea level rise
Due to global warming, sea levels are set to rise by between 30cm and 2 metres by 2100.
What are the components of a summer beach profile?
- Dunes/storm beach
- Backshore
- Foreshore
- Nearshore
- Inshore
- Offshore
What is a back shore?
The area between the high water mark and the landward limit of marine activity.
What is a foreshore?
The area lying between the high water mark and the low water mark and is often seen as the most important area for marine activity.
What is an inshore?
The are between the low water mark and the point where the waves cease to have any influence on the land around them.
What is an offshore?
The are beyond the point where waves cease to impact the seabed and in which activity is limited to the deposition of sediments.
