Coastal Processes Flashcards
Solution (corrosion)
Dissolving of Calcium based rocks by the acidity of the sea water.
Attrition
The material carried by the sea wearing away against each other and becoming smaller and more rounded.
Hydraulic action
Waves trapping pockets of air, the pressure builds up and eventually explodes, blowing away small fragments of rock.
Abrasion (corrasion)
The material carried by the sea wearing away the sea bed and coastline.
Freeze-thaw
Where water enters fractures in the rocks. As the water freezes it expands , causing the fracture to extend before fragments break off.
Pressure release
When the pressure of overlaying rocks is released and the rocks underneath expand.
Biological weathering
Plant seeds entering fractures in rocks. The seeds begin to grow and exert pressure on the surrounding rock, extending the fracture.
Oxidation
Oxygen in the air reacting with the elements found in the rocks to form oxides.
Hydration
Rocks absorbing water and swell, making it more susceptible to decomposition.
Carbonation
Carbon dioxide reacting with rainwater forming carbonic acid, weathering the rock.
Hydrolysis
Hydrogen and hydroxide ions reacting with ions in the rocks and breaking them down.
Solution
The dissolving action of rainwater on soluble rocks.
Organic weathering
Plant acids weathering down rocks.
Acid rain
Humans producing compounds which react with rainwater to form acidic compounds which weather rocks.
Soil creep
Slow movement of soil down gentle slopes. Occurs due to how soil expands and contracts after periods of rain and drought.
Solifluction
Permafrost layers preventing percolation, causing the ground to become saturated and slide downwards due to gravity.
Debris slide
A type of landslide involving rapid downward sliding and forward rolling of dry earth and rocky debris.
Slump
Where two layers of soil interact and one slides over the other.
Rockfall
Rapid free fall of dislodged rock from steep cliffs.
Mudflow
Rapid sudden movement of mud down a steep slope caused by periods of heavy rain. A lack of holding vegetation is a contributing factor.
Earthflow
Rapid movement of soil down steep slopes. Occurs due to how soil expands and contracts after periods of rain and drought.
