Coastal erosion topic Flashcards
what is a wave?
A wave is the movement of energy through a body of water.
What makes a wave
A wave is created by wind and energy
The size of a wave depends on
The strength of the wind
The length the wind blows
The distance over the wind blows
What is the fetch
The fetch is the distance which the wave travels, the longer the fetch the more energy the wave has, the more the wave erodes.
What is the swash
The rush of seawater after the wave breaks.
What is the backwash
When the wave runs backwards due to gravity
Characteristics of constructive waves
Constructive waves have a stronger swash than backwash
Beaches with constructive waves are sandy and flat
Constructive waves have a small crest
Characteristics of destructive waves
Destructive waves have a stronger swash than backwash
Destructive wave beaches are usually steep
Destructive waves are big and strong
What is abrasion
When pebbles hit against each other and become rounder and smaller
What is solution
When the acids of the seawater dissolves rocks and cliffs
What is attrition
When rocks hit against cliffs wearing them away
What is hydraulic action
When the waves crash along the coastline/cliffs, and air is trapped in the cracks making rocks eventually fall
Parts of a wave
Wave length
Wave height
Crest
Through
What is longshore drift
The movement of material along the shore by wave action
Erosional landforms
Cave
Arch
Stack
Stump
Cliff
