Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

AQA A Level Geography - Physical > Coastal Systems & Landscapes > Flashcards

Coastal Systems & Landscapes Flashcards

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

What is an Open System, and why is the coast one?

A

There are inputs & outputs of both energy and matter e.g. sediment from rivers & eroded rock into the ocean.

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

What is a Sediment Cell and why are they useful?

A

It is a stretch of a coastline, usually bordered by 2 headlands, that is considered a closed system as the movement of sediment is mainly self-contained. They are useful as they form the basis for coastal management.

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

What is a Positive Feedback?

A

It’s when a flow causes the system to experience further change which continues the disruption of the equilibrium e.g. groynes trap sediment, therefore depriving areas further down the coast. Which can lead to erosion.

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

What is a Negative Feedback?

A

It’s when a flow stabilises the system, allowing it to maintain its dynamic equilibrium e.g. mass-movement will lead to a scree slope forming. And as this increases in size, it will inadvertently protect the cliff, slowing erosion.

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

What is Dynamic Equilibrium?

A

It is when there’s a state of balance within a system e.g. constructive waves will create a steep beach. This will lead to destructive waves that will redistribute the sediment which in turn encourages constructive waves due to the lower gradient.

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

What is a Landform?

A

It’s an area which is created as a result of weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition which are all affected by climate and geology

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

What is a Landscape?

A

It’s when a combination of landforms create an area with clear characteristics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a Closed System?

A

There are inputs & outputs, but only of energy

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

What is an Isolated System?

A

There are no inputs or outputs

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

What are the 4 sub-zones of the Littoral Zone?

A

Offshore, nearshore, foreshore & backshore

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

What characteristics does a High Energy Coast have?

A

Destructive waves, long fetches, high rates of erosion, caves, arches. stacks, stumps, cliffs and wave-cut platforms. Steep beach profile in SR, but flattens out in the LR

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

What characteristics does a Low Energy Coast have?

A

Constructive waves, shorter fetches, high rates of deposition, spits, bars, beaches, sand dunes and salt-marshes. Gentle beach profile in SR, but builds up in LR

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

What are the characteristics of Destructive Waves?

A

Responsible for erosional processes, high frequency (10-15 waves per minute), steep & high causing plunge and the swash is less powerful than the backwash

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

What are the characteristics of Constructive Waves?

A

Low frequency (6-9 waves per minute), long & low causing spilling, backwash less powerful than the swash

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

How are Waves formed?

A

As air moves across the water, frictional drag disturbs the surface and forms ripples/waves. In the open sea, there is orbital motion. But at the coastline, there is horizontal movement.

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

What factors affect Wave Energy?

A

Strength of the wind (pressure gradient), duration of the wind (long wind = powerful waves) and the fetch (distance of open water over which the wind blows).

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

What is the Pressure Gradient?

A

Wind moves from high pressure to low pressure. Variations in atmospheric pressure are as a result of the differences in surface heating. The greater the pressure difference - Pressure Gradient - the stronger the wind

18
Q

Which direction does the UK’s prevailing wind come from?

A

South-West due to the air moving from subtropical high pressure to the subpolar low pressure. Also has a long fetch.

19
Q

What is the Wavelength?

A

The distance between the 2 crests

20
Q

What are Tides?

A

They are changes in the sea lvl due to the gravitational pull of the Moon. The UK experiences 2 high & low tides everyday.

21
Q

What’s the Tidal Range?

A

It’s the relative difference in height between high and low tides. It’s affected by the Moon’s location. Spring tide is when the Moon is in line with the Sun

22
Q

What are the main Sediment Sources?

A

Rivers, Cliff erosion, Longshore drift, Wind, Glaciers and Offshore

23
Q

What is a Sediment Budget?

A

It’s the amount of material within a sediment cell

24
Q

How many Primary Sediment Cells does England & Wales have?

A

11

25
Q

What is Weathering?

A

It is the breakdown of rock in its original place

26
Q

What is Mechanical Weathering?

A

It is the breakdown of rocks without any chemical changes taking place e.g. freeze-thaw, salt-crystallisation and wetting & drying

27
Q

What is Biological Weathering?

A

It is the breakdown of rocks by organic activity e.g. roots growing in cracks and land & marine animals burrowing

28
Q

What is Chemical Weathering?

A

It is the breakdown of rocks through a chemical reaction e.g. carbonation (rainwater absorbs CO2 to from a carbonic acid), oxidation and solution

29
Q

What is Mass Movement?

A

It is the downhill movement of material under the influence of gravity. Very common at coasts due to weight of rain combined with weak geology.

30
Q

What are the types of Mass Movement?

A

Soil creep, Mudflows, Landslide, Rockfall, Slump and Runoff

31
Q

What are the Coastal Erosion Processes?

A

Hydraulic action, Wave quarrying, Corrasion, Abrasion, Corrosion

32
Q

What are the Coastal Transportation Processes?

A

Traction, Saltation, Suspension, Solution

33
Q

What is Hydraulic Action?

A

It is the sheer force of the water crashing against the coastline

34
Q

What is Wave Quarrying?

A

It is the action of waves breaking against unconsolidated material e.g. sand & gravel

35
Q

What is Corrasion?

A

It is when waves pick up sand and pebbles and hurl them at the base of the cliff, therefore chipping away at the rock

36
Q

What is Abrasion?

A

It involves sediment being dragged up and down the shoreline, eroding and smoothing the rock

37
Q

What is Corrosion?

A

It’s when weak acids in the seawater dissolve alkaline rock e.g. chalk & limestone

38
Q

What are the factors affecting Coastal Erosion?

A

Waves (type & size), Rock type (lithology), Geological structure (cracks, joints), Beach, Subaerial processes and Coastal management

39
Q

What are the Landforms of Coastal Erosion?

A

Cliffs and Wave-cut platforms

40
Q

How are Wave-cut Platforms formed?

A

Erosion at the foot of a cliff will create a wave-cut notch. As this notch increases and the cliff is undercut, the cliff will become unstable and collapse. As this is repeated, the cliff will retreat leaving a wave-cut platform. Example of Negative Feedback

41
Q

What factors affect a Cliff’s Profile?

A

A steep cliff is likely to be made of strong and resistant rock while a gentle cliff is likely to be made of weak rock.

AQA A Level Geography - Physical (1 decks)

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