coastal landforms

Question 1

what is a discordant coastline

Answer 1

a coastline alternating between hard and soft rock, so the rock is at right angle to the coast

Question 2

what is a coastal wave

Answer 2

an extended crack at the base of a cliff creating a natural underground chamber

Question 3

where do headlands and bays form

Answer 3

where there are alternating bands of resistant and less resistant rock along the coast

Question 4

how is a bay formed

Answer 4

less resistant rock is eroded quickly

bays have a gentle slope

Question 5

how is a headland formed

Answer 5

resistant rock is eroded more slowly

headlands have steep sides

Question 6

what type of rock are headlands usually made of

Answer 6

resistant rocks that have a weakness like cracks

Question 7

Describe how a stack is formed

Answer 7

1. waves crash into headlands and enlarge cracks by hydraulic action and abrasion
   2.eventually forming a cave
   3.continued erosion, cave breaks through headland forming an arch
   4.erosion continues to wear away rock and arch collapses
2. this forms a stack

Question 8

what is a stack

Answer 8

an isolated rock that’s separated from the headland

Question 9

where are beaches found

Answer 9

on coasts between the high water mark and low water mark

Question 10

how are beaches formed

Answer 10

by constructive waves depositing material like sand

Question 11

what are the characteristics of sand beaches

Answer 11

-flat and wide- sand is small and weak
-backwash can move them back down the beach, creating long, gently slope

Question 12

what are the characteristics of shingle beaches

Answer 12

-steep and narrow
-weak backwash
-shingle particles build up and create steep-slope

Question 13

what is a spit

Answer 13

sand or shingle formed by longshore drift, extending our along a coast

Question 14

explain how spits are formed

Answer 14

1. waved follow the direction of prevailing wind
2. they hit the coast at an oblique angle
   3.wash carries material up the beach
   4.backwash carries material down the beach at right angles
   5.overtime material zigzags along the coast

Question 15

which type of wave allows deposition to occur

Answer 15

constructive

Question 16

how does longshore drift transport sediment along the coast

Answer 16

1.strong winds curve the end of a spit
2.sheltered areas behind spit is protected from waves and overtime these areas become a mud flat or salt marsh