Coastal Landscapes Flashcards
What is the littoral zone
wider coastal zone
-inc: adjacent land areas, shore, shallow part of sea
-inc: 4 sub sones; coast, backshore, foreshore, nearshore
What is dynamic frequency
balanced state of a system
-when inputs & outputs balance over time
Name the 3 ways coasts are classified
-geological characeristics (lithology, structure)
-impacts of sea-level change (rising/ falling)
-dominant coastal process (erosion/ deposition)
Name the 2 main types of coastlines formed by the littoral zone
-Rocky/ Cliffed coastlines
-Coastal plain landscapes
Name 5 characteristics of rocky coastlines
-clear distinction between land & sea due to height of cliffs
-exposure to erosive forces of sea -> high energy environments
-erosion> deposition
-destructive waves
-mainly resistant rock areas- igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic- granite, limestone
Name 5 characteristics of coastal plain landscapes
-land slopes towards sea -> transition into each other
-low energy environments
-deposition> erosion
-mainly weaker rocks- younger sedimentary rocks- chalks, clays
Why does the littoral zone vary
-due to:
-short-term factors- daily tides, seasonal storms, individual waves
-long-term factors- changes to sea levels, climate change
Give an example of a cliffed coast in the UK
chalk cliffs - Flamborough Head, Yorkshire
Give an example of an estuarine coastline in the UK
Lymington, Hampshire
What is the backshore zone found in the littoral zone
-what is it
-area between the high tide mark
-affected by wave action during major storms
What is the foreshore zone found in the littoral zone
-what is it
-area between high tide and low tide mark
-seen as most important area for marine activity
What is the nearshore zone found in the littoral zone
-what is it
-area of shallow water where friction occurs between seabed and waves- causing waves to break
What is the offshore zone found in the littoral zone
-what is it
-area of deeper water beyond the point where waves begin to break
-friction occurs between seabed and waves- could cause distortion in wave shape
How can coasts be classified because of geology
lithology (rock type) and structure of rocks
-used to determine if coast rocky, sandy or estuarine and concordant / discordant
How can coasts be classified because of sea level change
-used to classify coasts as emergent/ submergent
-can be caused by:
-tectonic processes- lift/ subside land- effects sea levels
-climate change- seal levels rise and fall
How can coasts be classified because of energy inputs
-receive energy inputs form waves, tides, currents, rivers, atmospheric processes, gravity tectonics
-classify coasts as high/ low energy
How can coasts be classified because of sediment inputs
-Coasts receive sediment inputs from waves, wind, tides, currents, mass movements, tectonic processes
-sediment added to coastline through deposition
-removed by erosion
-erosion > deposition- loss of sediment- coastline retreats- eroding coastline
-deposition > erosion- gain sediment- coastline advances- building coastline
Name the 2 types of coast produced by geological structure
-concordant
-discordant
What are concordant coasts
-formed when rock strata runs parallel to coast
-generally smooth/ slightly indented coastlines
(Dalmtaian)
What are concordant coasts
-formed when rock strata runs parallel to coast
-generally smooth/ slightly indented coastlines
(Dalmatian)
What are discordant coasts
-form when different rock strata intersect the coast at an angle
- differing erosion ->
formation of headlands and bays - Less resistant rocks -> eroded -> bays
-more resistant rocks -> remains as headlands
Explain why coves are often produced at concordant coastlines
-outer hard rocks -> protective barrier to erosion of the softer rocks further inland
- Sometimes outer hard rock is punctured- allowing sea to erode the softer rocks
-cove is produced (a circular area of water with a relatively narrow entrance from the sea)
Give an example of concordant coastlines in the UK
-Lulworth, Dorset
Give an example of discordant coastlines in the UK
West Cork Coast, Ireland
