Coastal Landscapes + Processes Flashcards
what is attrition
Processes of erosion
material carried by the waves that bump into each other and so are smoothed and broken down into smaller particles
what type of process erosion:
material carried by the waves that bump into each other and so are smoothed and broken down into smaller particles
attrition
what is hydraulic action
Processes of erosion
This process involves the force of water against the coast. The waves enter cracks (faults) in the coastline and compress the air within the crack. When the wave retreats, the air in the crack expands quickly causing a minor explosion. This process is repeated continuously.
What type of process of erosion is:
This process involves the force of water against the coast. The waves enter cracks (faults) in the coastline and compress the air within the crack. When the wave retreats, the air in the crack expands quickly causing a minor explosion. This process is repeated continuously.
hydraulic action
what is solution
Processes of erosion
This is the chemical action of sea water. The acids in the salt water slowly dissolve rocks on the coast. Limestone and chalk are particularly prone to this process.
What type of process of erosion is:
This is the chemical action of sea water. The acids in the salt water slowly dissolve rocks on the coast. Limestone and chalk are particularly prone to this process.
solution
what is abrasion
Processes of erosion
This is the process by which the coast is worn down by material carried by the waves. Waves throw these particles against the rock, sometimes at high velocity.
What are the 4 processes of erosion
- attrition
- hydraulic action
- solution
- abrasion
how are landforms created
hydraulic action and abrasion erode the soft rock quicker so bays are formed and the hard rock is more resistant which leaves headlands to stick out on the cast forming a headland
What erodes quicker hard rock or soft rock
soft rock
Which is more resistant soft rock or hard rock
hard rock
when coastal erosion happens what does hard rock form
headlands
when coastal erosion happens what does soft rock form
bays
what are the 4 main features of coastal erosion
caves, archs, stacks and stumps
how does coastal erosion start
1) large cracks in the land is opened up by hydraulic action
what is the second step to coastal erosion after:
1) large cracks in the land is opened up by hydraulic action
2) the crack grows into a cave by hydraulic action and abrasion
What is the third step to coastal erosion after:
2) the crack grows into a cave by hydraulic action and abrasion
3) the cave becomes larger and breaks through the headlands form a natural arch
what is the fourth step after:
3) the cave becomes larger and breaks through the headlands form a natural arch
4) the arch is eroded and collapses leaving a tall rock stack
What is the fifth step in coastal erosion after:
4) the arch is eroded and collapses leaving a tall rock stack
5) the tall stack is eroded forming a small stump
What are the 5 steps of coastal erosion
1) large cracks in the land is opened up by hydraulic action
2) the crack grows into a cave by hydraulic action and abrasion
3) the cave becomes larger and breaks through the headlands form a natural arch
4) the arch is eroded and collapses leaving a tall rock stack
5) the tall stack is eroded forming a small stump
What 2 erosion processes happen in coastal erosion
abrasion and hydraulic action
which way does the cliff retreat
it moves up the cliff
what type of tide has destructive waves
high tide
what type of waves have a high tide
destructive waves
describe the formation of a wave cut platform
1) destructive waves have a high tide that create a wave cut notch
2) the wave cut notch causes the cliff to collapse due to gravity
3) the cliff retreats up the platform creating a wave cut platform (that is steep)
Explain the formation of a spit
1) the spit is created by the deposition of sediment past the headland
2) salt marsh is created behind the spit due to the deposition of mud by the river and calm waters
3) the spit hooks depending on the prevailing wind and it changing direction
explain the formation of a bar
1) a bar is created when sediment joins two headlands because of longshore drift
2) a lagoon is created behind the bar
