Coasts Flashcards
How does geology affect erosion
rocks erode at different rates
What is the fetch
The fetch is the distance that a wave travels
What are joints, bedding plains and faults
joints, bedding plains and faults are cracks in rocks, they lead to faster erosion
What is longshore drift
Longshore drift is the movment of material along the shore by wave action
What is the tidal range
Tidal range is the distance between the tide at it’s highest and the tide at it’s lowest
What is the swash
the swash is when a wave goes up the beach
What is the backwash
the backwash is when the wave comes back down the beach at the quickest angle (straight towards the sea)
What is geology
geology is the study of rocks
How does longshore drift happen
longshore drift is when the wind makes the swash move at an angle up the beach and the backwash coming back down straight forming a zigzag movement which moves the sediment along the beach
What are constructive waves
Constructive waves are waves with a strong swash and a weak backwash, this leaves the sediment on the beach which builds up
What are destructive waves
Destructive waves are waves with a weak swash but a strong backwash, this will remove all the sediment off the beach and will destory it
What is the definition for a dune
A dune is an area where sand has been trapped and built up to form a mound
Order the four dunes studied from the youngest dunes to the oldest dunes
Embryo dunes - Yellow dunes - Grey dunes - Mature dunes
Which will be further from the sea - mature dunes or embryo dunes
Mature dunes are the furthest away from the sea
What dune will have the most vegitation
Mature dunes include the most vegitation
What are some conditions required in order for a dune to take place
Wind is required to move the sediment
Sediment and Sand are required for the dune to build upon
What happens to dunes over time
more sediment and sand are being deposited by wind, amount of vegitation and hight of hills increase as newer dunes are formed closer to the sea
In order for plants/vegitation to be able to grow in a dune what must be special about their characteristics
The plants must be able to take in salty water or survive without water for long periods of time ( if the climate is dry )
What are some activities that may threaten sand dunes
Strong winds, destructive waves, vehicles, dislodging of materials
What are coral reefs
A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals.
Where can the great barrier reef be located
The great barrier reef can be located in south-east Asia on the boarders of australia
What is in common about the locations of many coral reefs
Many coral reefs are found in between the tropic of cancer and the tropic of capricorn ( close to equator ) which are areas of warm water