Coasts EQ1 Flashcards
why are coastal landscapes different and what processes cause these differences?
define strata
layers of rock
define bedding planes
natural breaks in the strata caused by gaps in time during periods of rock formation
define joints
fractures caused by either contraction as sediment dries out or by the earth movements during uplift
define folds
formed by pressure during tectonic activity which makes rocks buckle and crumple
define faults
formed when the stress or pressure to which a rock is subjected exceeds its internal strength
define a dip
angle at which rock strata lie
define relief
height and slope of land
what is the littoral zone?
a zone which constantly changes due to dynamic interactions in the sea
name a short term factor of the littoral zone
daily tides, seasonal storms, waves
name a long term factor of the littoral zone
changes to sea level, climate change
what is the general distribution of the geology in the Uk?
- Left of the Tes-Ex line is mostly hard rock (metamorphic and igneous) = scotland/north of the UK
- Right of the Tes-Ex line is soft rock (sedimentary)= South East of the UK
what is a natural process which changes the littoral zone?
long-shore drift, erosion, types of wave, natural hazard, transportation/deposition, tidal ranges
what is a human process which changes the littoral zone?
coastal defences, hard/soft engineering, dredging
what is a sediment cell?
lengths of coast where processes are closely linked
how many sediment cells are there in england?
11
what are the three parts of the coastal system>
inputs > processes > outputs
name a feature of the inputs in the coastal system?
solar movement, marine, atmosphere, land, people
name a feature of the processes in the coastal system?
weathering, mass movement, erosion, transport, deposition
name a feature of the outputs in the coastal system?
erosional landforms, depositional landforms, different types of coast
what is a advancing coast?
construction of land/deposition
what is a retreating coast?
destruction of land/erosion
what is a high energy coastline?
rate of erosion exceeds the rate of deposition
what is a low energy coastline?
rate of deposition exceeds the rate of erosion
what are the waves, processes and landforms of low energy coastlines?
waves= constructive, calmer, short fetches
processes= deposition, transportation, longshore drift
landforms= beaches, spits, salt marshes, bars mudflat
what are the waves, processes and landforms of high energy coastlines?
waves= destructive, long fetches, stormy
processes= erosion, transportation, mass movement
landforms= cliffs, wavecut platform, arches, stack
where in the world is there an example of a low energy coastline?
Mediterranean coast, east Anglia coast
where in the world is there an example of a high energy coastline?
Norway, Scotland, Atlantic coastline
what are the 4 types of coastline?
- discordant
- concordant
- haff
- dalmation
what is a discordant coastline?
the geology alternates between bands of more-resistant and less-resistant rock which run at right angles to the coast (headlands and bays form)
what is a concordant coastline?
bands of more resistant and less resistant rock run parallel to the coast (coves are formed)
what is a haff coastline?
long spits of sand and lagoons aligned parallel to the coast
what is a dalmation coastline?
have formed as a result of a rise in sea level, the valleys flood because of this causing the tops of the ridges to remain above the surface of the sea
define coastal morphology
shape and form of coastal landforms
define lithology
physical characteristics of particular rocks
define permeable rock
has pores which allow water to flow through it (air spaces) not tightly compact
define impermeable rock
tightly compact do doesn’t allow water through it
how many different geological structures are there on the coastline?
5
describe the 5 different geological structures on a coastline…
- horizontal strata produce steep cliffs
- rocks dip gently towards the sea, almost vertical joint
- steep dip towards the sea
- rocks dip inland producing a stable steep cliff profile
- rocks dip inland but with well developed joint at right angles to bedding planes
give an example of discordant, concordant, dalmation and haff coastline
discordant- old harry
concordant- lulworth
dalmation- croatia
haff- curonian lagoon
what does lithology include?
geological structure, how porus the rock is, permeability, composition
What are the 6 parts of a sand dune (in order)
Born > embryo > fore > yellow > grey > mature
Name a plant u would see on a sand dune?
- sea couch grass
- marram
- various herbs
- shrubs
- pioneer plants
What is the sand like on a sand dune?
sand is unstable and very dry because it lacks organic matter
What is the name for the characteristics plants must have to survive on a sand dune?
Xerophytic characteristics
Name a plants you would see on a salt marsh?
- salt grass
- pickle weed
- marshgrass
- less salt tolerant plants
- cordgrass
- pioneer plants
- eelgrass
What is part of the upper half of a salt marsh?
Raised above regular height, may be dissected by small channels and creeks
What is part of the lower half of a salt marsh?
Under water for long periods of time
Define dune plants succession..
The sequence of plants that occupy different features
