Coasts - Coastal Landforms And Landscape Of Deposition

Question 1

what is beach accretion?

Answer 1

constructive waves build up the beach during the summer

Question 2

what is beach excavation?

Answer 2

destructive waves erode the beach during the winter

Question 3

what are swash-aligned beaches?

Answer 3

• waves move perpendicular to the beach
• there is limited longshore drift

Question 4

what are drift-aligned beaches?

Answer 4

• waves approach the beach at an angle
• sediment is then transported through longshore drift
• can lead to the formation of spits

Question 5

describe the formation of a spit

Answer 5

• longshore drift transports sediment down the beach and deposits it in line with the beach, but out at sea
• changes in wind direction can lead to curved ends
• multiple ends can lead to a compound spit

Question 6

describe the formation of a barrier beach/bar

Answer 6

• longshore drift causes a spit to extend across two headlands
• traps water, forming a brackish (salty) lagoon
• becomes a barrier island if separated from the mainland

Question 7

describe the formation of a tombolo

Answer 7

• a bar that connects the mainland to an offshore island
• formed due to wave refraction off of the coastal island

Question 8

describe the formation of offshore bars

Answer 8

• sand is deposited in an offshore region
  -absorb wave energy
• act as an input into the coastal zone