Coastal System

Question 1

Name the 4 inputs to the coastal system.

Answer 1

• Energy from waves, wind, tides and currents
• Sediment
• Geology of the coastline
• Sea level change

Question 2

Name the components of the coastal system.

Answer 2

-Characteristic erosional and depositional coastal landforms.

Question 3

Name the 3 outputs of the coastal system.

Answer 3

• Dissipation of wave energy
• Accumulation of sediment above the tidal limit
• Sediment removed beyond local sediment cells

Question 4

What is the Prevailing Wind?

Answer 4

The direction of the dominant wind that drives long-shore drift processes.

Question 5

What is the Fetch?

Answer 5

The goal distance of ‘open water’ the wind travels across.
Short Fetch= Limited distance to transfer energy from wind to waves.
Long Fetch= More energy transfer, larger waves formed.