coasts Flashcards
hard-rock coasts and example
consists of resistant rocks
eg. Lulworth cove dorset
soft-rock coasts
consists of less resistant rocks such as clay and shales that are more easily eroded
rock sturcture
the way different strata are arranged
discordant
when strata are perpendicular to/at right angles to the coast
concordant
strata are parallel to the coean
what forms along discordant coastlines and how
headlands and bays
bands of rock are eroded at different rates
what forms along concordant coastlines and how
fewer erosional landforms due to all of the rock being eroded at the same rate
coves and cliffs
- erosional processes make a gap or find a weakness/fault in the resistant strata, exposing the less resistant rock which is then quickly eroded to make a cove
- at the back of the cove, waves reach more resistant rock, forming a steep cliff
joints
small, usually vertical crakcs found in many rocks
faults
larger cracks in rocks caused by past tectonic movements, where rocks have moved
what 3 types of processes can affect rate of coastal erosion
climate
marine
subaerial
what are the 3 types of climate processes that affect rate of coastal erosion
seasonality
storm frequency
prevailing winds
how does seasonality affect rate of coastal erosion
temperature varies with the seasons
cold in winter, warm in spring, hot in summer, cool in autumn
differences in temperature have an effect on coastal processes for example milder temperatures increase rate of salt weathering because water evaporates at a greater rate
how does storm frequency affect rate of coastal erosion
storms are very frequent in winter
the strong winds create high energy, destructive waves, increasing erosion of cliffs
heavy rainfall causes cliffs to be saturated and mass movement becomes more likely
how do prevailing winds affect rate of coastal erosion
the most common winds in the UK are south westerlies, warm winds bringing in storms from the Atlantic
the UK south coast is exposed to these winds
cold northerly winds are also common, especially on the east coast
how do marine processes affect rate of coastal erosion
destructive waves carry out erosional processes as they are high, steep and high in frequency
backwash is stronger than swash, meaning that material is removed from the coasts
storms increase the erosional power of destructive waves, leading to increased rates of coastal erosion
what are the two types of subaerial process
weathering
mass movement
subaerial processes
land based processes that alter the shape of the coastline
what are the 3 types of weathering
mechanical
chemical
biological
mechanical weathering
physical breakdown of rock without changing its chemical composition
main example is salt weathering
chemical weathering
the breakdown of rock by changing its chemical composition
carbonation weathering occurs in warm and wet conditions
biological weathering
the breakdown of rock by living things such as plant roots growing down into rocks through cracks in their surface and pushing them apart
mass movement
the shifting of rocks and loose materials down a slope due to the force of gravity acting on a slope being greater than the force supporting it
what makes mass movement more likely
when the material is saturated as it acts as a lubricant and makes material heavier
what are the 4 main types of mass movement
rockfall
landslides/slides
slumps/rotational slips
mudflow
rockfall
material breaks up and falls down the slope , usually due to freeze thaw weathering leaving scree behind
landslide/slides
material shifts in a straight line
large blocks of rock slide downhill down a slide plane