Coastal Processes

Question 0

Solution (corrosion)

Answer 0

Dissolving of Calcium based rocks by the acidity of the sea water.

Question 1

Attrition

Answer 1

The material carried by the sea wearing away against each other and becoming smaller and more rounded.

Question 2

Hydraulic action

Answer 2

Waves trapping pockets of air, the pressure builds up and eventually explodes, blowing away small fragments of rock.

Question 3

Abrasion (corrasion)

Answer 3

The material carried by the sea wearing away the sea bed and coastline.

Question 4

Freeze-thaw

Answer 4

Where water enters fractures in the rocks. As the water freezes it expands , causing the fracture to extend before fragments break off.

Question 5

Pressure release

Answer 5

When the pressure of overlaying rocks is released and the rocks underneath expand.

Question 6

Biological weathering

Answer 6

Plant seeds entering fractures in rocks. The seeds begin to grow and exert pressure on the surrounding rock, extending the fracture.

Question 7

Oxidation

Answer 7

Oxygen in the air reacting with the elements found in the rocks to form oxides.

Question 8

Hydration

Answer 8

Rocks absorbing water and swell, making it more susceptible to decomposition.

Question 9

Carbonation

Answer 9

Carbon dioxide reacting with rainwater forming carbonic acid, weathering the rock.

Question 10

Hydrolysis

Answer 10

Hydrogen and hydroxide ions reacting with ions in the rocks and breaking them down.

Question 11

Solution

Answer 11

The dissolving action of rainwater on soluble rocks.

Question 12

Organic weathering

Answer 12

Plant acids weathering down rocks.

Question 13

Acid rain

Answer 13

Humans producing compounds which react with rainwater to form acidic compounds which weather rocks.

Question 14

Soil creep

Answer 14

Slow movement of soil down gentle slopes. Occurs due to how soil expands and contracts after periods of rain and drought.

Question 15

Solifluction

Answer 15

Permafrost layers preventing percolation, causing the ground to become saturated and slide downwards due to gravity.

Question 16

Debris slide

Answer 16

A type of landslide involving rapid downward sliding and forward rolling of dry earth and rocky debris.

Question 17

Slump

Answer 17

Where two layers of soil interact and one slides over the other.

Question 18

Rockfall

Answer 18

Rapid free fall of dislodged rock from steep cliffs.

Question 19

Mudflow

Answer 19

Rapid sudden movement of mud down a steep slope caused by periods of heavy rain. A lack of holding vegetation is a contributing factor.

Question 20

Earthflow

Answer 20

Rapid movement of soil down steep slopes. Occurs due to how soil expands and contracts after periods of rain and drought.