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Physical Geography > Coastal Landscapes and Change, Continued > Flashcards

Coastal Landscapes and Change, Continued Flashcards

1
Q

Sea level Change in General

A

long term sea level changes occur over thousand of years
long term sea level change is due to eustatic, isostatic factors and tectonics
tides, variations in air pressure and wind can create bulges in sea level

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2
Q

Eustatic Change

A

change in global sea level, due to a change of high volumes of water in oceans

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3
Q

how is water transferred (eustatic)

A

from land store back to oceans, increasing there volume of water in the oceans and raising global sea levels

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4
Q

how is a global fall in sea level achieved>

A

a decrease in the volume of water in the oceans

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5
Q

how much did sea level rise from 1870-2010

A

21cm - Humans are thought to be accelerating interglacial warming

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6
Q

Eustatic Rise in Sea Level

A

end of glacial period, melting ice sheets return water and sea level rise globally = global temperature rise = thermal expansion more water in ocean.

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7
Q

Eustatic Fall in Sea Level

A

ice sheets form on land, water evaporated from the sea is locked up on land as ice = sea level falls

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8
Q

What is isostatic change

A

change in local land level

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9
Q

local land level rise = sea level falls

A

post glacial adjustment
accretion - sink regions in sediment cell experiencing no deposition = land built up
tectonics

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10
Q

local land level falls = rise in sea level

A

subsidence
tectonics
post glacial adjustment

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11
Q

post glacial adjustment

A

weight of ice depresses the crust in areas below ice sheets = solid lithosphere forced down into asthenosphere
rigid nature of crust = sections of crust are depressed by ice adjacent areas are uplifted in seesaw affect

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12
Q

melting of ice effects - Post glacial adjustment

A

ice covered crust slowly rebound upwards whilst adjacent areas subside

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13
Q

UK - Ice Age

A

last ice age 12000
Uk covered with ice down to Birmingham
North Britain = isostatic fall in sea level, land lifted 1.5mm per annum
South Britain = isostatic rise in sea level, land lowered by 1mm

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14
Q

Tectonics and Eustatic Change

A

rising magma at constructive plates = reduce capacity of the ocean and produce eustatic sea level rise
uplift of crustal plate reduced Indian Ocean capacity - 0.1mm eustatic rise

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15
Q

Tectonics and Isostatic Change

A

Lava, Ash from volcanic activity produces isostatic fall, Hawaiian hot spot island chain
Sea floor spreading - carries volcanic island away from uplifted crust at mid ocean ridge, more dense crust subsides and sea rises, fIJI, Kiribati

Sedimentary rock folding at destructive plate produces an isostatic fall in sea level

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16
Q

Devonian Glacial Eustatic Change

A

sea levels lowered by 120mm

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17
Q

how are emergent coastlines produced

A

post glacial adjustment, parts of littoral zone where fall in sea level exposed land once part of sea bed

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18
Q

what is a raised beach

A

relict beach above high tide
flat surface covered by sand
usually vegetated by plant succession

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19
Q

what is a Fossil Cliff

A

steep slope found at back of raised beach exhibiting evidence of formation through marine erosion, now above sea level
may contain wave cut notches, caves, arches

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20
Q

Isle of Arran

A

raised beach 5m above sea level

Three levels of raised beach produced at different stages of post glacial adjustment

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21
Q

what is a submerging coastline

A

sections of littoral zone where sea level rise inundated areas that were previously part of terrestrial land

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22
Q

where are submergent coastlines found

A

southern England and east coast of America

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23
Q

what is a ria

A

drowned river valley - section of the river valley flooded by the ocean making it wider

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24
Q

where are rias common

A

periglacial areas that were adjacent to land covered ice during the devansian

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25
Q

what type of coastline is ria

A

estuarine coastline

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26
Q

Example of a Ria

A

Kingsbury Estuary - South Devon
6M Long
2 large drowned tributaries extend from east side of the ria with frog more creek 2 km long and 500m wide

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27
Q

why does a ria have a cross section and v

A

rivers eroded steep sided v shaped valley into frozen landscapes = v shaped cross section when valley flooded

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28
Q

what are fjords

A

drowned glacial valleys - section of glacially eroded valley flooded by the sea

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29
Q

where are fjords common

A

glaciated areas, covered during devensian eg western norway

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30
Q

why are fjords deep

A

glacier erosion if often cut deep into the landscapes often thens of metres lower than the adjacent land

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31
Q

what is a Dalmatian coast

A

long narrow island running parallel to the coastline and separated from the coast by narrow sea channels call sound

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32
Q

how are Dalmatian coast produced

A

sea level rise flooding the coastline

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33
Q

how are sounds formed

A

sea level rise at the end of the devensian glacial floods synclines to form sounds

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34
Q

Dalmatian region example

A

Croatia - limestone coastline stretching 520KM NW-SE with 1240 island parallel to the coast

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35
Q

how does climatic warming lead to eustatic sea level rise

A

melting of mountain glaciers (ALPS, Himalaya), polar ice sheets increasing the amount of water in ocean store

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36
Q

melting of sea ice

A

has no effect on sea level as the ice was already displacing the equivalent water that has now been melted

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37
Q

thermal expansaion and sea level change

A

94% increased heat energy in climate system is transferred to oceans

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38
Q

tectonic activity and sea level change

A

emission of geothermal heat into oceans by underwater volcanic activity can cause thermal expansion of ocean water

rising magma at constructive plate boundaries produces a doming upwards of curst along mid ocean ridges reducing the ocean basin volume

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39
Q

tectonics destructive plate margins and sea level change

A

folding of plates increases ocean basin volume lowering sea levels

earthquake along boundary can allow rebound of non subjecting margin uplift of sea floor reduces ocean volume raising sea levels

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40
Q

how do destructive plate margins cause isostatic change

A

faulting uplift sections of crust lowering sea levels

sea floor spreading transports volcanic islands away from uplifted crustal zone along constructive boundaries or hotspots to the ocean is colder, denser

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41
Q

PAST CHANGE OF SEA LEVEL

A

level risen 125m since devensian glacial

IPCC suggest sea level rise was 0.5mm pa from 6000BP to 1860

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42
Q

Future SEA LEVEL RISE

A

IPCC - sea level rise 18-59cm by 2100

43
Q

why wide range of prediction for sea level change

A

science of relationship between climate warming and rate of ice melting

uncertainties about rate of population growth and economic growth

44
Q

why are coastlines at risk

A

low lying ones - coastal flooding through marine transgression

low lying volcanic island. Maldives in the Indian. ocean, Kiribati islands in the pacific ocean

volcanic islands at risks from tectonic activity and global warming

45
Q

how does sea level ise affect numbers of people

A

estuaries and deltas are ideal for trade, navigable access inland up rivers
low lying deltas ideal for agriculture due to fertile
many low lying coastlines are densely populated as beaches and ocean attract tourist

46
Q

river deltas that support megacities

A

Shanghai, Yangtze Delta China

Dhaka, Bangladesh,Ganges - Brahmaputra

Karachi, Pakistan

47
Q

what does the IPCC predict for coastal regions

A

2060 12% world population in coastal regions - 10m above sea level

48
Q

how does height increase flood risk

A

temporary flood risk from storm surges, permanent flooding from global sea
rise
low lying coastlines 1-2m high above sea level so at risk from flooding

49
Q

Kiribati and Height that increases flood risk

A

group is islands 33 coral atolls

most population lives on Tarawa where height is 3m above

50
Q

Maldives and height that increase flood risk

A

highest point is only 2.3m

main island and capital is protected by 3m sea wall

51
Q

how does human activity cause local subsidence

A

weight of cities and built environment = sediment compressed, leading to subsidence (Venice)

Drainage of saturated sediment for ground water abstraction to supply cities Venice - reduces sediment volume causing subsidence

52
Q

non human factors flood risk

A

low lying coastlines in estuaries, deltas are subject to natural subsidence through settling and compunction of deposited sediment

Isostatic readjustment after ice sheet retreat Southern England

53
Q

Vegetation removal flood risk

A

salt marshes, mangrove forest reduce flood risk
vegetation absorbs wave energy - reducing the impact and erosion
50% worlds mangrove forest removed since 1950, lost removed for tourists beaches

54
Q

global sea level rise, flood risk

A

increase risk of flooding in low lying coastlines

55
Q

Maldives - Flood risk

A

50cm sea level rise would flood 77% islands

56
Q

what is storm surge

A

temporary rise in local sea level produced when a depression, storm, or tropical cyclones reaches coast

57
Q

rise in sea level during storm surge is accentuated

A

high tide, during spring tide
shape of coastlines funnels increasingly narrow space
sea bed shallows towards coast

58
Q

storm surges on low lying coastlines

A

severe coastal flooding

59
Q

storm surges coasts

A

force of onshore current can cause rapid coastal erosion

60
Q

storm surges, destructive waves

A

impact is increased by destructive waves whipped up by strong storm winds on top of high sea level = coastal erosion rapid

61
Q

short term impacts on storm surges

A

homes destroyed
deaths, injuries
diseases from sewer systems and freshwater pies destroyed
business destroyed

62
Q

Bangladesh CASE STUDY

A 
Cat 4 cyclone. 6M Storm surge 
240MPH
15000 people killed
55000 injured
1.6 million homes destroyed 
1.7 Billion in damage 
8000KM infrastructure 
900 fresh water tube wells
63
Q

how did the bangladsh cyclone worsen

A

coastline from unconsolidated delta sediment easily eroded

deforestation of mangrove swamps

64
Q

2007 cyclone in Bangladesh compared to 1970 Bhola Cyclone

A

impacts in the 2007 were much lower due to improved warnings, embankments and cyclone shelter network saves many lives

65
Q

Storm Xavier, December 2013 UK CASE STUDY

A 
80MPH Wind
Storm coincided with spring tide
2 killed
18000 evacuated 
Coastal defences breached, 1400 homes flooded
£100Million lost
66
Q

why was the impacts of storm Xavier less than 1953 storm surge UK

A

improved flood defences - thames barrier raised during storm, 800000 homes protected
improved forecasting, efficient evacuation,
mitigated in areas where flooding or erosion still occured `

67
Q

What did IPCC predict in 2014

A

climate change warming of atmospheric and oceans would increase intensity of atmospheric circulation

68
Q

why is the pace and extent of sea level uncertain

A

population growth, economic development, natural positive and negative feedback, political commitment to restrict GHC emissions

69
Q

adaptations affecting predictions of sea level

A

building sea walls
building earth embankments
storm surge barriers across river mouth - Thames Barrier/Eastern Scheldt Netherlands
restoration of mangroves forest - protection belts - Sri Lanka replanting after 2004 Indian Ocean

70
Q

Delta flooding flood risk

A

area of the world major deltas at risk from coastal flooding likely to increase by 50%

71
Q

Medium Confidence of flood risk

A

wind and waves - evidence of increase wind speeds and large waves

72
Q

Tropical Cyclones - weak evidence

A

frequency unchanged - could be larger storms

cyclones intensity increase due to warmer ocean surface temperature and warmed atmosphere holding moisture

73
Q

Tropical cyclones combination of factors - Weak Evidence

A

North Atlantic - tropical storms becoming hurricane has risen from 6 in the 1990s to 8 per year from 2000-2016
Number and intensity of tropical cyclones is highly variable each year and decade

74
Q

Storm Surges Low confidence

A

Linked to depression that are likely to become more common

75
Q

Storm surges more intense =

A

exhibit even lower surface air pressure producing larger sea level rise as storms surge and increase risk of coastal flooding

76
Q

Economic losses from coastal recession

A 
Housing 
Business
Agriculture Land
Infrastructure
Property values and inability to sell
77
Q

How many properties will be lost by 2035

A

800 properties by Environmental

Agency

78
Q

Social Losses from coastal recession

A

Relocation
Break of community
loss of livelihoods
financial problems and job searching

79
Q

why are economic losses small

A

erosion happens slowly
property risk looses its value to buyers long before erosion
high density such as towns and villages protected with defences

80
Q

Consequences in Developed Countries Future - Australia

A

1M Rise =
£87 Billion worth of commercial property threatened
5 Power stations
116,000 homes causing property damage - £72Billlion
44 water and sewage plants
£67 Billion roast and rail infrastructure

81
Q

Social costs of a future flood in Australia

A

break up of communities, loss of livelihoods - fishing, tourism and amenity loss

82
Q

coral reef effect on future flooding in Australia

A

coral reef in Great Barrier Reef will due due not being able to grow fast to keep up with sea level =
loss in tourism income

83
Q

North Sea Flood - UK

A

storm surges 5m
5 December 2013
Low pressure, high wind and high tidal pressure combined

84
Q

Social impacts of North Sea Flood

A

2 deaths UK

loss of livelihood - railway station and southern section of town centre flooded, Suffolk

85
Q

Economic impacts of North Sea Flood

A

1400 homes flooded in England, Wales
£1 Billion over course of winter
40,000 homes in Scotland and Northern England

86
Q

2013 Typhoon Haiyan Phillipines

A

4-5M storm surge

one of the most powerful tropical storm ever

87
Q

Economic damages of Typhoon Haiyan

A

£2Billion in city of Tacloban

90% Structures destroyed or damaged in Tacloban

88
Q

Social impacts of Typhoon Haiyan

A

1.9 million homeless
30,000 injured 6300 deaths
6 million displaced

89
Q

USA, 2012, Hurricane Sandy

A

$70Billion in damage
$6Million people lost people
350,000 homes in New Jersey damaged/destriyed

90
Q

what is an environmental refugee

A

forced to leave their homes due to natural processes, landslides, erosion or rising sa levels

91
Q

how could environmental refuge be created predicted by the IPCC

A

flooding
salt water encroachment
coral bleaching (acts as a sea defence

92
Q

Places at risk from sea level rise by 2100

A

Tuvalu, Maldives, Seychelles, Barbados

93
Q

Tuvalu, Maldives, Seychelles, Barbados

Reasons for being at risk and others

A

high population densities and limited space, relocation not available
small and narrow economies, based on fishing and tourism which is easily disrupted
water supply limited and at risk from salt water incursion as sea level rises and groundwater is overused
80% of people in Seychelles live on the coast

94
Q

Maldives and Environmental Refugee

A

400,000 too large for them, can be accommodated elsewhere, Government negicitiating with India, Sri Lanka, Australia to buy land

95
Q

Environmental Refugees, Hurricane Katrina, USA 2O05

A

1 million environmental refugee - 7m storm surge flooded New Orleans

most were internally displaced within USA, 30% did not return to New Orleans

96
Q

Typhoon Haiyan 2013, Environmental Refugee

A

this and climate change driven storm events since 2008, produced 6.8 million internally displaced refugees

97
Q

Holderness Case Study

A

Europes fastest eroding coastline

3 miles been lost since roman times

98
Q

why is the holderness coast eroding fast

A

strong prevailing winds creating longshore drift that moved material south along coastline
cliffs made of soft boulder clay which erodes rapidly when saturated

99
Q

what does the exposed chalk of Flambourgh provide

A

examples of erosion features such as caves, arches, stacks

100
Q

Hard Engineering examples of Coastal Management

A

Hornsea and Withernsea solutions to coastal erosion

101
Q

What happened at Skipsea

A

illustrates the human impact of erosion in areas where coastline are not being defended

102
Q

Spurn Point explained

A

evidence of Longshore drift
example of a spit
3% material eroded from the coast

103
Q

Mappleton

A

site of the most intense erosion
small settlements small population
composed oof unconsolidated boulder clay
2 rock groynes allowing for protection

Physical Geography (5 decks)

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