Coastal Landscapes And Processes (physical) Flashcards

Question

What is relief?

Answer 1

The difference in the height of land for a particular region.

Answer 2

Large rocks or concrete blocks used as barricades to reduce marine erosion.

Answer 3

A form of sediment transportation where smaller rocks/pebbles are pushed along the seabed by currents.

Answer 4

In sheltered bays or behind spits, salt and minerals will build up.

Answer 5

A depositional landform where sand and sediment build up around driftwood.

Answer 6

A hard-management coastal defense that redirects wave energy.

Answer 7

Formed from the broken remains of sediment and other rocks that have compressed together.

Answer 8

The use of natural materials and environmentally sustainable approaches to reduce coastal recession.

Answer 9

Slightly acidic water dissolves chemicals from a rock face and transports these dissolved materials.

Answer 10

Small rocks that are light enough to float are carried in the water.

Answer 11

A long depositional landform formed from sand and shingle.

Answer 12

Large rocks and boulders are rolled along the bed of the river or sea.

Answer 13

Breakdown of rocks

Answer 14

When pieces of rock from a weathered cliff fall due to the undercut of waves

Answer 15

After long periods of rainfall, it weakens the soil and permeable rock causing them to slump down the slope in large sections

Answer 16

Large amounts of soil and rock move down the slope rapidly

Answer 17

Different processes depending on the size of the material and the amount of energy in the wave

Answer 18

When there isn’t i=enough energy for the waves to carry the eroded material any further

Answer 19

Destructive Constructive

Answer 20

Low energy Stronger swashes than back washes Convex beach Long wavelength Shallow gradient waves Low energy Constructs beach forms wide strip beach

Answer 21

High energy and frequency Wave has travelled over a large fetch Concave beach Stronger backwash and weak swash Destroys beach Short wavelength Creates steep beach

Answer 22

When a wave washes up to the shoreline

Answer 23

When the water from a wave retreats back into the ocean

Answer 24

Mass movement, erosion, deposition, transportation, weathering

Answer 25

Transportation, erosion, deposition

Answer 26

Where the land meets the sea, narrow boundary

Answer 27

Wind strength, wind duration and distance it travels over the watch (fetch)

Answer 28

Hydraulic action, abrasion, solution, attrition

Answer 29

Headlands/bays Wave cut notches/wave cut platforms Cave, arch, stack, stump (at a headland)

Answer 30

• Bands of hard and soft rock are arranged at right angles to the coastline (discordant coastline). • Soft rock erodes faster through processes like hydraulic action and abrasion, forming a bay. • Hard rock erodes more slowly, leaving it jutting out as a headland. • Waves lose energy in the bay, leading to deposition and often the formation of a beach. • Headlands are more exposed to wave energy, leading to more erosion and the formation of features like cliffs, caves, arches, and stacks.

Answer 31

Destructive waves break against the headland and lines of weakness such as joints or faults are attacked This then forms a cave over time due to hydraulic action and abrasion weakening it

Answer 32

Waves continue to erode the cave When the waves break it blocks the entrance of the cave which then traps air Air is compressed and breaks away sides of the other side of the cave which leads to an arch being formed

Answer 33

Waves and erosion widens arch which builds pressure at the top of the arch The weakened roof of the arch collapses under pressure leaving a stack Further erosion and weathering may cause the pinnacle to collapse and often leaves a small stump covered by high tide

Answer 34

• A wave-cut notch is a small indentation at the base of a cliff, formed by erosion (especially hydraulic action and abrasion).

Answer 35

• A wave-cut platform is a flat, gently sloping area of rock left behind as the cliff retreats.

Answer 36

• Waves hit the cliff face, eroding it between the high and low tide marks. • Over time, this creates a notch that gets deeper, weakening the cliff above.

Answer 37

• It forms after repeated collapses caused by the erosion at the wave-cut notch. • As the cliff erodes and collapses backward, the former base of the cliff is exposed, forming the platform.

Answer 38

• Waves hit the coast at an angle (due to prevailing wind). • The swash carries material up the beach at that angle. • The backwash pulls material straight down the beach (due to gravity). • This zigzag movement moves sediment along the coast. • This process is called longshore drift.

Answer 39

When eroded material is transported by longshore drift and deposited by constructive waves along the coast

Answer 40

Often found where cliff are being eroded

Answer 41

A ridge of sand and shingle, marks the normal high tide

Answer 42

• Longshore drift moves sediment along the coast. • Where the coastline changes direction (e.g. at a river mouth), sediment is deposited. • A spit starts to form, growing out into the sea. • The end of the spit curves due to winds or wave direction changes. • A salt marsh may form in the sheltered area behind the spit.

Answer 43

A ridge of sand or shingle around the entrance of a mouth of a river

Answer 44

Fresh water trapped behind a bar

Answer 45

Durdle door (arch) Lulworth cove (cove) Chesil beach (beach) Old harry rocks (long bay with stacks and stumps) Soft rock (clay and sands) Hard rock (chalk and limestone)

Answer 46

Coastal erosion in the UK is mostly found on the east and south coasts, where the cliffs are made of softer rocks like clay and sand.

Answer 47

Rates of erosion and recession are expected to increase because of rising sea levels and increased storms due to climate change

Answer 48

Cause: Past 100 years sea level has risen by 12 cm along coastline of the English Channel Levels are expected to rise another 11-16 cm by 2030 due to global warming Effects: Cliffs that are currently undercut will continue to retreat Areas of soft coastline (clay and gravel) may experience erosion more rapidly due to frequent and stronger storms

Answer 49

Causes: • Strong winds from storms push seawater towards the coast. • Low air pressure raises sea levels (less pressure holding it down). • High tides combine with the storm to make sea levels even higher. • Climate change increases storm frequency and intensity Effects: - Coastal flooding damages homes, businesses, and farmland. • Erosion increases, causing cliffs and beaches to wear away. • Transport links like roads and railways may be destroyed. • Saltwater can pollute freshwater and soil. • Economic loss from repair costs and business disruptio

Answer 50

• Coastal development (e.g. building houses, hotels, ports) → increases erosion by removing natural defences like sand dunes. • Coastal defences (e.g. sea walls, groynes) → can protect one area but increase erosion further along (called terminal groyne syndrome). • Tourism → heavy foot traffic damages sand dunes and vegetation, making the coast more vulnerable to erosion. • Dredging (removing sand/shingle for construction or navigation) → reduces beach size, which weakens natural protection against waves. • Agriculture (farming close to the coast) → removes natural vegetation; exposed soil can be easily washed away by rain into the sea (called coastal runoff). • Climate change (caused by human pollution) → leads to sea-level rise and more frequent storms, making coastal erosion much faster.

Answer 51

• Increased erosion → Cliffs collapse faster (e.g. Holderness Coast is eroding at 2m per year). • Loss of habitats → Wetlands, sand dunes, and marshes are destroyed (e.g. salt marshes in Essex disappearing). • Flooding risks rise → Low-lying areas (e.g. Norfolk coast) are at greater risk of permanent flooding. • Economic damage → Homes, businesses, and farmland are lost (e.g. Happisburgh in Norfolk has lost dozens of houses). • Need for expensive coastal management → Councils have to spend millions on sea defences (e.g. sea walls at Blackpool cost over £60 million). • Conflict between groups → Some want to protect coasts (e.g. local homeowners), others prefer managed retreat to let nature take its cours

Answer 52

• Loss of homes → Whole villages can be lost to the sea (e.g. Happisburgh, Norfolk — dozens of homes lost). • Economic loss → Properties lose value; insurance costs rise or becomes unavailable. • Damage to infrastructure → Roads, railways, and utilities (e.g. gas pipes) get destroyed, cutting off communities. • Loss of farmland → Productive agricultural land eroded away, affecting farmers’ livelihoods. • Psychological impacts → Anxiety, depression, and stress for people living close to rapidly eroding cliffs. • Increased costs for coastal defences → Local councils must pay millions for sea walls, rock armour, or managed retreat. • Forced migration → Some residents have to relocate permanently, breaking up communities.

Answer 53

• Loss of habitats → Coastal ecosystems like dunes, salt marshes, and mudflats are eroded or drowned. • Reduced biodiversity → Species that depend on coastal environments (e.g. birds, insects) lose breeding and feeding grounds. • Disruption of natural processes → Sediment transport changes, affecting beaches and river estuaries elsewhere. • Increased coastal flooding → Natural barriers like dunes disappear, making inland areas more vulnerable to storm surges. • Pollution risks → As cliffs collapse, old landfill sites and waste buried near coasts can leak into the sea. • Creation of new landforms (positive) → Sometimes, erosion creates new habitats like lagoons, salt marshes, and spits (e.g. Spurn Head at Holderness).

Answer 54

Do nothing (no intervention) Hold the line - maintain existing shoreline by building defences Retreat the line - allow shoreline to change naturally but manage and direct process Advance the line - build new defences on seaward side

Answer 55

Beach nourishment Sand dune regeneration

Answer 56

Sand and shingle is added to beach to make it higher or wider

Answer 57

• Natural appearance → Blends in with the natural environment — no ugly concrete structures. • Protects the coastline → Absorbs wave energy, reducing erosion and flooding risk. • Supports tourism → Creates wider, attractive beaches which boost local tourism and economy. • Relatively cheap (short term) → Lower initial costs compared to building sea walls. • Environmentally friendly → No hard barriers, so natural processes like longshore drift can continue.

Answer 58

• High maintenance → Needs to be replaced regularly as sand is easily washed away by storms and tides. • Expensive (long term) → Repeated replenishment costs can add up to more than hard engineering over time. • Disruption to wildlife → Dredging sand from the seabed can destroy marine habitats. • Short-term solution → Doesn’t stop erosion, just delays its effects. • May affect sediment elsewhere → If sediment is removed offshore, it might cause erosion problems in other coastal areas.

Answer 59

Grasses, bushes and trees are planted to stabilise dunes

Answer 60

• Natural barrier → Sand dunes absorb wave energy, reducing erosion and flooding naturally. • Creates important habitats → Supports rare plants, insects, and bird species (boosts biodiversity). • Relatively cheap → Much cheaper than building sea walls or rock armour. • Sustainable → If managed properly (e.g. with fencing and planting marram grass), dunes can maintain themselves long term. • Aesthetic benefits → Looks natural and attractive, improving the beauty of the coastline for to

Answer 61

• Takes time → Dunes take years to develop fully and become stable enough to protect the coast. • Easily damaged → Foot traffic (tourists, dogs, bikes) can easily destroy young dunes without proper protection. • Ongoing maintenance needed → Requires constant monitoring, fencing, and replanting to stay effective. • Limited protection → Not suitable for all coastlines — strong storms can easily flatten dunes. • Public resistance → Fences, boardwalks, and restricted access can annoy visitors who want to walk on the beach freely.

Answer 62

Sea walls Groynes Rip raps Gabions Revetments

Answer 63

Concrete walls 3-4 m, sometimes curved to reflect the waves back to the sea

Answer 64

Advantages of Sea Walls: • Very effective at protecting the coast → Strong barrier against erosion and flooding. • Long lifespan → Can last for decades if properly maintained. • Gives people confidence → Protects valuable property, businesses, and infrastructure. Disadvantages of Sea Walls: • Very expensive → High construction and maintenance costs. • Unnatural and ugly → Can spoil the appearance of the coastline, affecting tourism. • Can cause erosion elsewhere → Waves bounce off the wall (wave reflection), eroding the beach in front and nearby areas.

Answer 65

Advantages of Groynes: • Trap sediment → Build up beaches, which absorb wave energy and protect the coast. • Boost tourism → Wider beaches attract more visitors. • Relatively cheap → Less expensive than sea walls and can last a long time Disadvantages of Groynes: • Interrupt longshore drift → Starve beaches further down the coast of sediment, causing erosion elsewhere. • Unnatural appearance → Can look ugly and spoil the natural beauty of the coastline. • Maintenance needed → Can be damaged by storms and need repairs over time.

Answer 66

Advantages of Rip Rap: • Absorbs wave energy → Reduces erosion and protects cliffs and beaches. • Cheaper than sea walls → Costs less to build and maintain. • Quick to install → Can be placed rapidly after storms or emergencies. Disadvantages of Rip Rap: • Can look ugly → Large boulders spoil the natural coastline. • Dangerous for people → Can be hazardous to climb or walk over. • Can shift in strong storms → Needs occasional maintenance to reposition rocks.

Answer 67

Advantages of Revetments: • Absorb wave energy → Reduce erosion by breaking the force of the waves. • Cheaper than sea walls → Cost less to build and maintain. • Allow some natural processes → Let water drain through, reducing pressure on the coast. Disadvantages of Revetments: • Still expensive → Not as costly as sea walls but still a big investment. • Visually unattractive → Can spoil the natural look of the coastline. • Can be damaged by strong storms → Need regular maintenance and repairs.

Answer 68

Advantages of Gabions: • Absorb wave energy → Reduce erosion by breaking up the force of the waves. • Cheap and quick to build → Much cheaper than sea walls or revetments. • Flexible and easy to repair → Damaged cages can be fixed individually without major work. Disadvantages of Gabions: • Unattractive appearance → Wire cages and rocks can look messy and unnatural. • Shorter lifespan → Wire can rust or break, especially in salty sea conditions. • Can become dangerous → Broken cages or sharp wires can harm people and wildlife.

Answer 69

Wooden or rock structures built along the beach at right angles

Answer 70

(Rock armour) Large boulders at the foot or at the top of the beach

Answer 71

Sloping structures built along the base of the cliff

Answer 72

Metal wire cages with rocks

Answer 73

• Location: Eastern England, stretches from Flamborough Head in the north to Spurn Head in the south, in Yorkshire. • Length: Around 61 km long. • Type of Coastline: It’s a sedimentary coastline made mostly of boulder clay (soft rock), which makes it prone to erosion. • Holderness Coast erodes by 2 meters per year. • Spurn Head is a key example of a spit formed by longshore drift. • Coastal defences are expensive and often cause problems elsewhere, like terminal groyne syndrome. • Tourism and farming are key parts of the economy, but erosion threatens both.

Answer 74

• Hard Engineering: • Sea Walls: E.g. at Hornsea; prevent flooding but can cause erosion elsewhere. • Groynes: E.g. at Mappleton; help build up beaches but can cause erosion further south. • Rip Rap: Large boulders to absorb wave energy. • Soft Engineering: • Managed Retreat: Areas like Spurn Head allow natural erosion, leading to the creation of new habitats. • Beach Nourishment: Adding sand to beaches to build them up, used in areas like Bridlington.

Answer 75

• Flamborough Head: • Headland with white chalk cliffs, resistant to erosion compared to other areas. • Features stacks and arches (e.g. Selwick’s Bay). • Boulder Clay Cliffs: • Soft cliffs erode easily, leading to dramatic loss of land. • Erosion rate: up to 2 meters per year. • Spurn Head: • Spit formed by deposition at the mouth of the Humber Estuary. • Acts as a natural barrier for the coastline, protecting land behind it.

Answer 76

• Geology: • Boulder clay is easily eroded by the sea. • Cliffs are mainly made of soft materials, which erode quickly compared to harder rocks. • Wave Action: • The area is exposed to strong waves from the North Sea, which increases erosion. • Longshore drift moves sediment southwards, which means sand and pebbles are removed from some areas and build up in others. • Storms: • Storm surges and extreme weather events contribute to rapid erosion, especially in vulnerable areas.

Answer 77

• Coastal Development: • The area has many villages and farms close to the coast, increasing vulnerability to erosion. • Tourism: • Popular with tourists due to features like Flamborough Head and Bridlington. • Sea Defences: • Some parts of the coast have hard engineering (e.g. sea walls, groynes), but these often have limited effectiveness and can cause problems elsewhere (e.g. terminal groyne syndrome). • Hornsea and Mappleton have been protected with sea walls and rock armour, but nearby areas are still eroding. • Land Loss: • Loss of farmland (e.g. near Mappleton), with farmland being eroded by the sea.