Cuspate Foreland And Offshore Bars

Question 1

What is a cuspate foreland?

Answer 1

Triangle shaped accretion of sand and shingle that extends seaward

Question 2

Give a brief description of the formation of cuspate forelands

Answer 2

1. Change in direction of coast
2. LSD extending both directions, due to two dominant wind directions
3. Sediment brought in from both directions, causing foreland to develop
4. Possible joining of two spits trapping sediment
5. Sedimentation enhanced by rivers bringing sediment to their mouths

Question 3

Give an example of a cuspate foreland with detail

Answer 3

Dungeness, Kent

• Formed of a shingle beach
• Result of two directions of LSD. Merging of SW waves from English Channel and waves from east from Strait of Dover

Question 4

What is an offshore bar?

Answer 4

Elongated ridge of sand/shingle, parallel to coastline, but unattached. Occurs on gentle sloping low energy coastlines

Question 5

Give a brief description of the formation of an offshore bar

Answer 5

1. Waves approach a gently sloping coast
2. Waves break some distance from coast, causing deposition to occur
3. Over time material is built up parallel to coast to form ridge of sand
   E.g. Fresian Islands (Netherlands and Germany)