Costal Landscapes

Question 1

Caves, arches, stacks & stumps formation

Stage 1

Answer 1

All rocks have lines of weakness. The sea and its waves use hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition and solution to erode along many lines of weakness. Undercutting takes place all around the headland

Question 2

Caves arches stacks stumps

Stage 2

Answer 2

These lines of weakness get enlarged and developed into small sea caves

Question 3

Caves arches stacks stumps

Stage 3

Answer 3

These caves are deepened and widened on both sides of the headland, until eventually the sea cuts through the headland, forming an arch

Question 4

Caves arches stacks stumps

Stage 4

Answer 4

The rock at the top of the arch becomes unsupported as the arch is enlarged, eventually collapsing to form a stack

Question 5

Caves arches stacks stumps

Stage 5

Answer 5

The stack gets eroded until only a stump remains

Question 6

Caves arches stacks and stumps

Stage 6

Answer 6

Overtime the stump will disappear

Question 7

Caves arches stacks stumps

Stage 7

Answer 7

As the headland retreats under this erosion, the gently sloping land at the foot of the retreating cliff is called a wave cut platform

Question 8

Wave cut platform 1

Answer 8

Waves attack the base of the cliff, the waves erode the base of the cliff by hydraulic action and abrasion

Question 9

Wave cut platform 2

Answer 9

The erosion creates a wave cut notch, as the notch becomes larger the upper part of the cliff is unsupported

Question 10

Wave cut platform 3

Answer 10

Erosion continues and undercuts the base of the cliff, erosion continued and the upper cliff becomes less stable and eventually collapses

Question 11

Wave cut platform 4

Answer 11

As the process continues the cliff will slowly retreat and move inland, as the platform enlarged the cliff has greater protection. The gently sloping land at the foot of the cliff is called a wave cut platform

Question 12

Headlands and bays

Answer 12

These form along coasts that have alternating resistant harder rock and less resistant softer rock. Where there is resistant rock the coast will be worn away slower, leaving a headland which sticks out into the sea. Where there is softer rock; erosion will be more rapid and a bay will form. As the headland becomes more exposed to the full force of the wind and waves, it will become more vulnerable to erosion than the sheltered bay

Question 13

The size of waves is determined by

Answer 13

The speed of the wind
The length of time the wind has been blowing
The distance of sea it has travelled (the fetch)

Question 14

Hydraulic action

Answer 14

Hydraulic action is the sheer force of waves crashing against the shore and cliffs. The power of the waves forces air into the cracks, compresses it and blows the rock apart as the pressure is released

Question 15

Attrition

Answer 15

Attrition happens when rocks and pebbles carried by the waves smash into eachother, wearing eachother away and gradually becoming smaller, rounder and smoother

Question 16

Abrasion

Answer 16

Abrasion is the process of rocks and pebbles carried by the waves wearing away rocks as they are thrown against cliffs

Question 17

Solution

Answer 17

Solution is when chemicals in the sea water dissolve Minerals in the rocks, causing them to break up

Question 18

Spit (1)

Answer 18

Spits form where the coastline changes direction and longshore drift continues to move the material along the beach

Question 19

Spit (2)

Answer 19

Longshore drift will deposit material in the sea after the coastline has changed direction

Question 20

Spit (3)

Answer 20

Overtime the level of the sand deposited will build up until it is above sea level

Question 21

Spit (4)

Answer 21

The spit cannot develop right across the bay as a rivers estuary prevents the build up of sand

Question 22

Spit (5)

Answer 22

Sand spits often have a curved or hooked end. This is created when secondary wind and wave direction causes waves to strike from a different direction

Question 23

Spit (6)

Answer 23

The beach therefor appears to extend out into the sea and is known as a spit or sand spit

Question 24

Spit (7)

Answer 24

The spit creates an area of calmer water, sheltered by the spit, a lagoon, salt marsh and dry land can develop in this sheltered area