coastal landforms Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

how does rock type and structure influence coastal landforms

A

rock type and structure are important because it effects how quickly the rock is eroded by the sea. weaker rock types erode quicker than others, creating things like headlands and bays.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

describe headland and bay formation

A

these are formed on discordant coastlines where rock type alternates between bands of hard and soft rock. the soft rock erodes faster creating indented bits of land called a bay, and vice versa.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

explain a cliff formation

A

cliffs are formed when headlands or rocks are eroded at the base by the sea, forming a wave cut notch, until the front overhang becomes so weak mass movement forces it to collapse and retreat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

explain a wave-cut platforms formation

A

a wave cut platform is formed when waves erode at the bottom of a cliff forming a small notch until the cliff face collapses down due to becoming too weak. the debris from the cliff is slowly eroded in this notch and transported away. as this happens over and over it eventually forms a smooth slope where the rock is pulled back along

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

explain cave formation

A

a cave is formed when a crack or weakness on a cliff is eroded open, often by hydraulic action, which repeatedly forces the hole wider and wider, until it begins to hollow out a hole in the cliff, called a cave.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

explain an arch formation

A

an arch is formed when a cave is eroded so much that it hollows out an entire bit of a cliff, making it so you can see from one side of the cliff through to the other, whilst still having rock above with little underneath support

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

explain a stack formation

A

a stack forms when the top of an arch collapses due to weathering and gravity leaving a pillar of rock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

explain a beach and its formation

A

a beach is an area of sediment that has been deposited on the coast where waves have lower energy and are largely constructive. it is the area between the lowest spring tide level and the highest winter storm tide. it is usually sediment on a wave cut platform

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

explain sand dunes

A

sand dunes are ridges/hills of sand found at the top of the beach made by sand blown against something

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

explain a spit

A

a spit is a large bit of sediment/beach formed when longshore drift blows out over an estuary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

explain a bar

A

this is like a spit but it joins two bits of headland over a bay.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly