Coasts Ao2 Flashcards
Why is Dyrhólaey an example of a high-energy coastline?
Large fetch from Antarctica → strong wave energy → high erosion.
What rock type influences Dyrhólaey coastal features?
Basalt from volcanic activity → black sand & pebbles.
What has recent sea level change caused for Dyrhólaey?
Sea level drop → vast coastal plains formed.
Give an example of Wave Rarefraction
Lulworth Cove, Dorset
Wave refraction focused on limestone, breaking through to softer rock behind.
What is the worlds highest tidal range?
Bay of Fundy, Canada
Up to 16m due to funnel shape & resonance effect.
Give an example of a storm surge?
Bangladesh (Cyclone Sidr, 2007)
Storm surge reached 6m, flooding 3 million homes.
Give an example of a high and low energy coastline.
HIGH- Cornwall – 8,000km fetch, 6m waves in winter
LOW- The Wash, East England – low energy, deposition of salt marshes & mudflats
Give an example of a disrupted sediment budget.
Nile Delta (Negative Sediment Budget)
Aswan High Dam reduced sediment supply by 95%.
Coastal retreat of 4.5m per year.
Talk about the freeze thaw action in the lake district
Lake District- common due to freezing temperatures contributing to significant erosion of mountain peaks like Scafell Pike
Talk about salt crystalisation in chilie
Common in Chile due to high evaporation rates creating salt formations in the desert’s salt flats
Talk about the badlands as wetting and drying
Badlands of South Dakota- clay rich soil which goes through wetting and drying cycles forming unique eroded landscapes
Talk about solution weathering example
i.e. Limestone Caves in Carlsbad Caverns are formed by solution weathering as acidic water dissolves the calcium carbonate creating stalactites and stalagmites
Give an example of ana earthquake and landslides
In Nepal, after the 2015 Gorkha earthquake the destabilization of steep slopes led to landslides
Give an example of a headland
Examples: Flamborough Head- chalk cliffs erode 1m per year creating a platform extending up to 500m from the cliff base
Give 2 examples of stacks
Examples: Old Harrys Rocks, Dorset- Arch called old harry’s wife collapse forming stacks like old harrys stack.
Twelve Apostles, Australia- Limestone Stacks on the Great Ocean Road. Only 8 remain
Give an example of a spit
Example- Spurn Head, UK- LSD along Holderness coast. erodes 2m per year
Give an example of a barrier beach
Chesil Beach- 30km shingle barrier beach connecting the isle of portland to mainland dorset, home to 150 Bird Species
Give an example of a barrier island
Fire Island, USA- barrier island off the coast of New York protecting Long Island from storm surges and hurricanes.
Give an example of dunes
Studland Bay, UK- National Nature Reserve home to dynamic sand dune succession in Dorset showing all types of dune
Talk about the last glacial maximum and the Uk and Europe
During the last glacial maximum, we had sea levels roughly 110m lower, the UK was connected to mainland Europe even 10,000 years ago by a land bridge known as doggerland
Talk about isostatic rebound in scotland
Scotland is rising by up to 1-2mm per year due to post-glacial rebound, while southern England is sinking.
Talk about an example of tectonic sea level change
Example: 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake caused a permanent drop in sea level in some areas by up to 1m, while others experienced a local rise.
Talk about the industrial revolution and sea level
1880 and the industrial revolution, sea levels have increased by around 235mm
Talk about future sea level rise
The IPCC predicts that sea levels may rise between 0.3 - 1m by 2100.
Talk about hurrican katrina and storm surges
Hurricane Katrina had a storm surge reaching 8.5m devastating New Orleans
Talk about biodiversity loss
Tuvalu and Kiribati experiencing loss of land and freshwater due to saltwater intrusion.
Talk about displacement and sea level rise
Bangladesh: Over 20 million people at risk of displacement by 2050 due to rising sea levels.
Talk about spurn head and storm damage
Spurn Head, a spit on the Holderness Coast, UK, has been slowly retreating due to longshore drift and erosion. Over time, storm damage has breached the spit, and the neck of the spit has been eroded multiple times. Human intervention (abandonment of defences) has allowed natural processes to shape the landscape further.
Talk about the holderness coast SMP
Case Study: The Holderness Coast SMP balances hard engineering in high-value areas like Mappleton and Withernsea while allowing managed retreat at Spurn Head.
Talk about the mediterranean ICZM protocol
Case Study: The Mediterranean ICZM Protocol (2008) aims to manage coastal zones across multiple countries, ensuring sustainable development while protecting ecosystems.
