coastal systems Flashcards
what type of system are coasts?
natural OPEN systems
where do inputs of coastal zones originate from?
OUTSIDE the system
example of input
sediment carried in via rivers, waves, tides
define outputs of coastal systems
anything which leaves the system
example of output
sediment being washed out to sea and carried further along the coast, ocean currents
5 examples of flows/transfers in coastal systems
erosion, weathering, mass movement, transportation, deposition
examples of erosional processes
abrasion, hydraulic action, cavitation, wave quarrying, solution, attrition
1 example of mechanical weathering process on coasts and explain how it works
freeze thaw
water in cracks in rocks freeze as night temps drop, exerting pressure on the rock causing it to crack over time
examples of mass movement processes
landslide, slumping, rockfalls, mudflows, soil creep
examples of transportation processes
saltation, traction, solution, suspension, long shore drift
what are examples of stores in coastal systems
beaches, spits, dunes, offshore bars, tombolos, barrier beach
what is aeolian transport
processes of erosion, transport, and deposition of sediments that are caused by wind
explain the concept sediment cells
-11 of them in UK
-CLOSED systems
-little/no sediment moves between cells
-only inputs come from erosion from sea bed/land
-erosion, transport + deposition of sediment within the long term cycle
describe the 3 types of rocks resistance to erosion
igneous - e.g granite, interlocking crystals
HIGH resistance to erosion
metamorphic - e.g slate, crystals orientated in same direction, resistant to erosion
sedimentary - e.g limestone, faults making rock weak+vulnerable, rate of erosion is v fast
