Coasts As Natural Systems Flashcards
What type of sytsems are coasts
Open
When there is a balance of inputs and outputs…
Dynamic equillibrium
Inputs of the coast
Energy from waves and wind
Sediment
Geology
Sea level change
Outputs of the coast
Accumulation of sediment above tidal limit
Removal of sediment beyond cells
Explain a negative feedback system
Sediment eroded during storm
Deposited offshore forming bar
Waves break before reach beach and dissipate energy
Storm calms
Normal wave conditions rework sediments off bar
A beach is in dynamic equilibrium
Where is the back shore
The area between the high water mark and land limit to marine activity
Where is the foreshore
Area between HWM and LWM
Most important zone for marine activity
Where is the inshore
Between LWM and where the waves cease to have any influence on the land
Where is offshore
Area between where waves cease to have impact on the land and in which activity is limited to deposition of sedimenyd
Where is the nearshore
Area extending Seward from HWM area and where waves break
What does the nearshore include
Awash zone, surf zone, breaker zone
