Coasts Key Terms

Question 1

Constructive Wave

Answer 1

Waves with a stronger swash than backwash. Builds up beach material.

Question 2

Destructive Wave

Answer 2

Waves with a stronger backwash than swash. Removes beach material.

Question 3

Prevailing Wind

Answer 3

The direction the wind most commonly blows from.

Question 4

Swash

Answer 4

The movement of a wave up the beach

Question 5

Back Wash

Answer 5

The movement of a wave down the beach

Question 6

Mechanical Weathering

Answer 6

The breaking up of rocks

Question 7

Chemical Weathering

Answer 7

Slightly acidic rainfall dissolves certain types of rocks and minerals

Question 8

Biological Weathering

Answer 8

Actions of plants and animals cause rocks to breah apart and become weaker.

Question 9

Freeze Thaw

Answer 9

Water breaks up rocks by getting into cracks, freezing, expanding and thawing again.

Question 10

Mass Movement

Answer 10

The downward movement or sliding of material under the influence of gravity.

Question 11

Rockfall

Answer 11

Fragments of rock break away from the cliff

Question 12

Landslide

Answer 12

Blocks of rock slide downhill

Question 13

Rotational slip

Answer 13

Slump of staurated soil and weak rock along a curved surface.

Question 14

Hydraulic Power

Answer 14

The power of waves as they smash into cliffs causing them to break apart.

Question 15

Abrasion

Answer 15

The sandpapering effect of pebbles grinding over a rocky platform

Question 16

Attrition

Answer 16

Rock fragments knock against each other making them smaller and rounder

Question 17

Solution

Answer 17

The dissolving of soluable chemicals in rocks

Question 18

Corrasion

Answer 18

Fragments of rock are thrown at the cliff by the sea.

Question 19

Solution

Answer 19

Dissolved mineral are transported in the sea

Question 20

Suspension

Answer 20

Particles and sediment are carried within the water

Question 21

Saltation

Answer 21

Larger rocks and pebbles are bounced along the sea floor

Question 22

Traction

Answer 22

Large rocks and pebbles are rolled along the sea floor

Question 23

Longshore Drift

Answer 23

The transportantion of material along the coastline in a zig zag pattern.

Question 24

Deposition

Answer 24

The sea drops the load of sediment when the flow of water slows and energy is lost.

Question 25

Headland

Answer 25

Parts of the coastline that stick out into the sea

Question 26

Groynes

Answer 26

Wooden or rock barriers placed at right angles to the coastline to prevent longshore drift

Question 27

Gabions

Answer 27

Wire cages filled with rocks to absorb wave enrgy and protect coastlines

Question 28

Sea Walls

Answer 28

Concrete or rock barrier placed along the coast to prevent wave attack.

Question 29

Rock Armour

Answer 29

Large boulders of resistant rock placed at cliffs to absorb wave energy

Question 30

Beach Nourishment

Answer 30

The replacement of beach material and sand to maintain beach width.

Question 31

Dune Regeneration

Answer 31

Planting of Marram grass and installation of fences to protect natural barriers to erosion

Question 32

Managed Retreat

Answer 32

Allowing the sea to flood or erode and areas of low value land and let nature take its course.