Development of landforms Flashcards
Where do bays and headlands form?
In areas with a disconcordant coastline, with alternating soft and more resistant rocks.
How are wave-cut notches formed?
By waves that undercut the cliff.
How are wave-cut platforms formed?
Whilst the cliff line retreats, and the top of the cliff collapses, a gently sloping platform will form.
How are geos formed?
Erosion along cracks and fissures cuts inland as a steep-sided inlet. This is a geo.
How are caves formed?
Erosion into the cliff side as a large crevice.
How are blowholes formed?
When erosion in a cave continues vertically upwards.
How are arches formed?
When erosion continues through a cave to the other side of the headland forming a hole between the cave.
How is a stack formed?
When an arch falls down leaving behind an isolated portion of rock; a stack.
How is a stump formed?
When a stack falls down from erosional processes leaving behind a small stump of rock.
What is a storm beach?
A ridge composed of the biggest boulders thrown by the largest waves above the usual high tide mark.
What is a beach?
Found at the point where the land meets the sea, representing an accumulation of sediment deposited between low spring tides and the highest point reached by storm waves.
How are spits formed?
Prevailing winds and maximum fetch carries material in the same direction via longshore drift. Where the coastline changes direction, there is a build-up of sand in a more sheltered area of the headland. Oncoming water from an estuary or river doesn’t allow this material to reach the other side of the bank.
How is a bar formed?
When a spit is built up to the other end of the bank due to a weak flow of water.
How are sand dunes formed?
Deposited sand dries out and is blown in landwards where it accumulates and becomes stabilised by vegetation as species like marram grass becomes established.
How is a tombolo formed?
When a spit grows outwards, joining an island to the mainland.
