Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Geography - Coastal Systems And Landscapes > Coastal Processes > Flashcards

Coastal Processes Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
U.S. Geography flashcards World Geography flashcards
1
Q

Marine processes

A

ARE caused by sea

Erosion, transportation and deposition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Sub-aerial processes

A

Aren’t directly caused by the sea
(Land based)

(Weathering, runoff and mass movement)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Positive Feedback in Weathering

A

Rate of debris removal exceeds the rate of weathering/mass movements

POSITIVE FEEDBACK as the rate of weathering/mass movement could increase

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Negative Feedback in Weathering

A

Debris removal is slow and ineffective, leads to a build up of debris that reduces the exposure of the cliff face

NEGATIVE FEEDBACK as the weathering/mass movement rate will decrease further

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Mass Movement

A

The downhill movement of weathered material under the force of gravity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

When is a mass movement most likely to occur?

A

When cliffs are undercut by wave action - this causes an unsupported overhang, which is likely to collapse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Types of mass movement?

A
  1. Landslides (straight line)
  2. Slumps (with rotation)
  3. Rockfalls (breaks up and falls)
  4. Mudflows (downslope)
  5. Soil Creep
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Landslides

A

Rate: usually rapid
Wet/Dry: both
Movement: slide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Slumps

A

Rate: usually rapid
Wet/Dry: both
Movement: slide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Rockfalls

A

Rate: rapid
Wet/Dry: dry
Movement: fall

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Mudflows

A

Rate: often quite rapid
Wet/Dry: wet
Movement: flow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Soil creep

A

Rate: imperceptible
Wet/Dry: wet
Movement: creep

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Unconsolidated rocks are prone to collapse as there’s little ________ between the _________ to hold them together

A

Friction

Particles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

________ ______ can saturate unconsolidated rock, further reducing ________ and making it more likely to ___________

A

Heavy rain
Friction
Collapse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

________ (the flow of water over the land) can ________ fine particles and transport they downslope

A

Runoff

Erode

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Sub-aerial weathering is the ________ break down of _____ by agents such as…

A

Gradual
Rock

Ice
Salt
Plant roots
Acids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Weathering…

A

Weakens cliffs and makes them more vulnerable to erosion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Biological Weathering

A

The breakdown of rocks by organic activity is biological weathering

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Biological weathering (3)

A

– Plant roots grow into cracks (cracks grow) as roots widen

– Water running through decaying vegetation becomes acidic

– Birds and animals dig burrows into cliffs (puffins and rabbits)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Chemical weathering

A

Involves a chemical reaction where salts may be dissolved or a claylike deposit may result (easily eroded)

21
Q

Chemical weathering (3)

A

– Carbonation (rainwater absorbs C02 = weak carbonic acid) reacts with CaCO to form calcium bicarbonate - easily eroded

– Oxidation (rock minerals - e.g. iron —> rust)

– Solution (Dissolving of rock minerals)

22
Q

Physical weathering

A

Involves the break up of rocks without any chemical changes taking place

23
Q

Physical weathering (3)

A

– Freeze thaw weathering (water increases in volume by 10%)

– Salt weathering (salty water enters cracks in rock at high tide, water evaporates forming salt crystals which exert pressure on rock as they form)

– Wetting and drying (rocks containing clay expand when wet and this pressure exerted breaks fragments off the rock)

24
Q

Processes of erosion (6)

A 
Abrasion
Hydraulic action
Cavitation 
Wave quarrying 
Solution 
Attrition
25
Q

Hydraulic action

A

Air in cracks in cliffs is compressed when waves crash in. The pressure exerted breaks up the rock.

26
Q

Wave quarrying

A

The energy of a wave as it breaks can detach break off bits of rock.

27
Q

Abrasion

A

Material being thrown against the rock by the waves, smoothening surfaces and breaking bits off

28
Q

Attrition

A

Bits of rock in the water smash against each other and break into smaller pieces

29
Q

Solution

A

Soluble rocks get gradually dissolved by the seawater

30
Q

Cavitation

A

As waves recede, the compressed air expands violently, exerting pressure on the rock causing bits to break off.

31
Q

Some of the many factors that affect the rate of coastal erosion include…

A 
Defences
Type of rock
Type of coastline 
Wind direction
Vegetation
Fetch
32
Q

Terminal scour

A

Higher than average rates of erosion at the end of a sea wall/sea management

33
Q

Transportation processes (4)

A

Solution
Suspension
Saltation
Traction

34
Q

Solution

A

Soluble materials dissolve in the water and are carried along

E.g. limestone is dissolved into water that’s slightly acidic

35
Q

Suspension

A

Very fine material like silt and clay is carried in the water. Most eroded material is transported in this way

36
Q

Saltation

A

Larger particles, pebbles/gravel, are bounced along the sea bed by the force of the water

37
Q

Traction

A

Very large particles, (boulders) are pushed along the sea bed by the force of the water

38
Q

2 key features which determine transportation process?

A

Energy & Size

39
Q

Longshore Drift

A

The process of sediment being transported along the coastline by the swash (same angle as prevailing wind) and the backwash (90 degrees to sea.)

40
Q

Swash

A

Carries sediment UP the beach, parallel to the prevailing wind.

41
Q

Backwash

A

Carries sediment back DOWN the beach, at right angles to the shoreline.

42
Q

Deposition is when…

A

Material being transported is dropped on the coast

43
Q

Marine deposition

A

Sediment carried by the seawater is deposited

44
Q

Aeolian deposition

A

Sediment carried by the wind is deposited

45
Q

High energy coasts

A

Small particles easily transported whilst larger and heavier material is deposited forming shingle beaches

46
Q

Low energy

A

Even the smallest material is deposited forming mudflats and saltmarshes

47
Q

Deposition occurs when the s___________ l_____ exceeds the ability of the water/load to carry it.

This is due to either:

A

Sediment load

  • Sediment load increases (e.g.landslide)
  • Wind/water flow slows down (so it has less energy)
48
Q

Wind and water slow down due to…

A
  • Friction increasing (water - shallower or wind - land)
  • Flow becomes turbulent - obstacle? Flow becomes tougher and overall speed decreases
  • Wind drops, wave height, speed and energy will decrease as well

Geography - Coastal Systems And Landscapes (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions