COASTS: Other landforms (NOT part of headland)

Question 1

What is a shingle ridge?

Answer 1

Ridge of shingle/small pebbles, built up on a beach, forming protective barrier for land behind. Requires gentle shelving shore.

Question 2

What is a spit? How is it formed?

Answer 2

Elongated ridge of sand/shingle attached to land at one end and finishing in open sea at the other.
Prevailing winds blow at an ANGLE to the coastline, resulting in LSD.
LSD moves material along coastline and DEPOSITS it.
Over time, the spit grows and develops a HOOK if wind direction CHANGES.
Area behind is sheltered, often resulting in build up of salt marshes.

Question 3

What is a tombolo?

Answer 3

Same formation as a spit, except a tombolo connects to another land mass, it doesn’t finish in open sea.

Question 4

What are salt marshes? How are they formed?

Answer 4

Develop in areas SHELTERED from wave action (e.g. behind a spit).
Sea plants first established, and allow organic matter to build up.