Coasts

Question 1

Define coastline

Answer 1

The point at which the land meets the sea

Question 2

Define weathering

Answer 2

The breakdown of rocks at the earth’s surface, by the action of rainwater, extreme temperature and biological activity

Question 3

Name the four causes of weather

Answer 3

1. Biological
2. Wind, rain and waves
3. Freeze thaw
4. Chemical weathering

Question 4

Define fetch

Answer 4

The distance over which a wave forms

Question 5

At what angle does the backwash go at

Answer 5

Right angles to the sea

Question 6

At what angle does the swash go at

Answer 6

The angle of the wind

Question 7

Define attrition

Answer 7

Material carried by the waves bump into each other and so are smoothed and broken down into smaller particles

Question 8

Define hydraulic action

Answer 8

This process involves the force of the water against the coast. The waves enter cracks (faults) in the coastline and compress the air within the crack. When the waves retreats, the air in the crack expands quickly causing a minor explosion. This process is repeated continuously.

Question 9

Define corrosion / solution

Answer 9

The chemical action of sea water. The acids in the salt slowly dissolve rocks on the coast.

Question 10

Define abrasion / corrasion

Answer 10

The process where the coast is worn down by material carried by the waves. The waves throw the rocks / particles at the coast line.

Question 11

List 5 reasons why some cliffs erode faster than others

Answer 11

Plant cover
Rock type
Weather conditions 
Wave energy (fetch, direction, prevailing wind)
Wave type
Wind speed
Direction of wind
Shape of coastline (sheltering)
Chemical structure 
Freeze thaw

Question 12

Define headland

Answer 12

Areas of resistant rock which protrude (stick out) from the coastline

Question 13

Define bay

Answer 13

Areas of less resistant rock (soft) between two headlands which is quickly eroded

Question 14

Define long shore drift (aka LSD)

Answer 14

The transportation of sediment along a stretch of coastline caused by waves approaching the beach at an angle

Question 15

Define the solution transportation

Answer 15

Dissolved chemicals in sea water, carried along in solution

Question 16

Define the suspension transportation

Answer 16

Small pebbles are carried in water

Question 17

Define the saltation transportation

Answer 17

Loads bouncing and hopping along the sea bed

Question 18

Define the traction transportation

Answer 18

Pebbles and larger sediment are rolled along the sea bed

Question 19

When does deposition occur in the sea?

Answer 19

When the water has low energy and deposits the material it’s carrying

Question 20

When is deposition likely to occur? (List 2-3)

Answer 20

When…

• waves enter shallow water eg bays
• waves enter a sheltered area where low energy means constructive waves are dominant
• there is little wind
• there is a wide expanse of flat beach so swash spreads out, weakening the wave so backwash is weak
• there is a good supply of material from updrift erosion