Coastal landscapes (P1- SEC C) Flashcards
what are constructive waves?
LOW WAVES and LONG WAVELENGTH that surge up the beach and ‘spill’ with POWERFUL SWASH.
- carries/deposits large amounts of pebbles/sand to CONSTRUCT THE BEACH
what are destructive waves?
Formed by local storms close to coast
CLOSELY SPACED
HIGH/STEEP WAVES that PLUNGE INTO BEACH
LITTLE SWASH but POWERFUL BACKWASH - removes sand/pebbles so ‘destroys’ it
what is the FETCH?
how far the wave has travelled
attrition?
rock fragment carried by the sea knock against each other causing small/more rounded rocks.
abrasion?
‘sandpapering’ effect on pebbles grinding over a rocky platform - becomes smooth
solution?
dissolving of soluble chemicals in rocks
corrasion?
fragments of rocks are picked up/hurled by the sea at a cliff.
the rocks erode the cliff
hydraulic power?
POWER of waves as they smash onto the cliff. trapped air is forced into cracks In rocks making them break - cavitation
5 main processes that influence shape of the coastline?
EROSION
WEATHERING
MASS MOVEMENT
TRANSPORTATION
DEPOSITION
weathering?
weakening or decay of rocks in their original place on, or close to , the ground surface
2 types of physical weathering and explain?
freeze thaw - water collects in cracks of rock and freezes/expands making cracks bigger
- when temps rise, ice thaws , water seeps deeper into rocks
REPEAT - THEY BREAK
Salt weathering - seawater evaporates leaving CRYSTALS
- they grow/expand
- put pressure on rocks /breaks
chemical weathering ?
rainwater absorbs co2 from air and becomes acidic
- contact with alkaline rocks causes CHEMICAL REACTION , so rocks DISSOLVE
mass movement ?
downward movement or sliding of material under influence of gravity
types of mass movement?
ROCKFALL - rocks break away from cliff face often due to free thaw weathering
ROTATIONAL SLIP- slump of saturated soil/weak rock along a CURVED surface
MUDFLOW- saturated soil/weak rock flow down a slope
LANDSLIDE - blocks of rock slide downhill
coastal transportation - 4 ways ?
solution ; dissolved chemicals from limestone and chalk
suspension: particles carried in water
traction ; large pebbles rolled along a seabed
saltation ; a ‘bouncing’ motion of particles too heavy to be suspended