Depositional Features

Question 1

Spit

Answer 1

A spit is a stretch of sand or shingle extending from the mainland out to sea. They develop where there is a sudden change in the shape of the coastline such as at a headland and as a result of longshore drift. Refraction around the end of a spit curves it into a “hook” forming a recurved spit. AN example is Spurn Head in Yorkshire

Question 2

Bar

Answer 2

If the bay between two headlands is blocked off by a spit then that spit is known as a bar. An example of a bar is Slapton Ley in Devon

Question 3

Tombolo

Answer 3

Sometimes a spit extends far enough out to sea to join a coastal island to the mainland. When it does so, the spit is known as a tombolo. An example of this is Chesil Beach which joins the Isle of Portland to the south of mainland Britain.

Question 4

Salt Marshes

Answer 4

An area of coastal grassland that is regularly flooded by seawater. An example may be Parkgate

Question 5

Sand Dunes

Answer 5

Sand dunes are small ridges or hills of sand found at the top of a beach, above the usual maximum reach of the waves. They form from wind blown sand that is initially deposited against an obstruction such as a bush, driftwood or rock. As more sand particles are deposited the dunes grow in size, forming rows at right angles to the prevailing wind direction. If vegetation, such as Marram Grass and Sand Couch, begins to grow on the dune its roots will help to bind the sand together and stabilise the dunes.