COASTS Flashcards
Describe the three main features of constructive wave.
Constructive waves have a stronger swash than backwash, the time between each wave is low and their vertical height is low.
Describe the three main features of destructive wave.
Destructive waves have a stronger backwash than swash, the time between waves is high and their vertical height is high.
What is meant by the term attrition?
It is when particles carried by the waves crash against each other and are broken up into smaller particles.
What is meant by the term corrosion (abrasion)?
It is when particles carried by the waves crash against the cliffs, eroding the cliffs.
What is meant by the term corrasion (solution)?
This is when seawater slowly dissolves the cliffs. The material produced is carried away by the process of solution.
What is meant by the term hydraulic action?
This occurs when waves ave great energy which is released as they break against the cliffs. Waves trap air in the cracks in the rocks. This air is compressed by the waves, eventually causing them to crack.
Describe the slope and width of beaches formed by constructive waves.
The beaches are wide and have a gentle slope.
Suggest reasons for the development of wide gently sloping beaches.
Constructive waves start to deposit pebbles on the beach because they have a stronger swash than backwash and they roll instead of crashing onto beach.
What is meant by the term swash?
It is the movement of a wave up the beach.
What is meant by the term backwash?
It is the movement of a wave down the beach back to the sea.
What is meant by the term erosion?
It is when the sea wears away the land.
What is meant by the term deposition?
It is when the waves drop their load.
What is meant by the term load?
It is the material carried by a wave, such as sand and pebbles.
List four features of a headland.
The features are cave, arch, stack, stump and wave cut platform.
Name the case study you would use when been asked to describe and explain the formation of a spit.
The case study is Hurst Castle spit.