coasts

Question 1

figure 11, diagrams of constructive and destructive waves

using figure 11, compare two features of destructive and constructive waves

Answer 1

destructive waves are high and steep but constructive waves are low and long.

Question 2

figure 12, showing sediment size at two locations along a coastal spit

complete the table in figure 12 by calculation the mean sediment size in cm for location Y

Answer 2

4.3

Question 3

figure 12, showing sediment size at two locations along a coastal spit

suggest one reason for the difference in sediment size between location X and location Y

Answer 3

attrition causes smaller sediment

Question 4

which of these is a process of mass movement in a coastal environment

A) frost shattering
B) slumping
C) attrition
D) longshore drift

Answer 4

B) slumping

Question 5

explain how the sea defences shown in figure 13 help to protect the coastline from erosion (4) (groynes, rock armour)

Answer 5

firstly groynes help to protect the coastline by trapping material transported by longshore drift. they create wider beaches which slows the waves giving greater protection from flooding and erosion. secondly rock armour absorbs wave energy which protects the land behind from abrasion and hydraulic action

Question 6

suggest one advantage of the coastal management strategy shown in figure 13 (coastal realignment)

Answer 6

creates a wider beach which slows the waves giving protection against erosion and flooding

Question 7

figure 14, graph showing rates of erosion at a coastal site between 2000 and 2018

using figure 14, what is the projected rate of erosion for 2030?

Answer 7

3.3

Question 8

figure 15, photograph of part of dorset and sketch maps showing changes in the shape of a coastline over time

explain the formation of the physical features of the coastline shown in figure 16 (6)

Answer 8

figure 16 shows a discordant coastline. headlands and bays form where there are alternative bands of less and more resistant rock along a coast. the less resistant rock is eroded by abrasion and hydraulic action faster forming a bay with a gentle slope. because the resistant rock erodes slower it juts out, forming a headland with steep sides.

beaches are found on coasts between the high and low water marks. they’re formed by constructive waves depositing material.

a wave cut platform is formed by abrasion and hydraulic action at the foot of a cliff, causing a wave cut notch which is enlarged over time, causing the notch to become unstable and collapse. this collapsed material is washed away and a new wave cut notch starts to form. after repeated collapses, the cliff retreats, leaving a wave cut platform.