Distinctive features of the coastal zone Flashcards
What is the littoral zone?
The coastal zone in which sediments are moved around between the land, beach and sea
Why is the littoral zone dynamic (always changing)?
These changes are due to the interactions between the processed happening on land, in the seas and in the oceans. It varies because of
- short term factors (individual waves, daily tides, seasonal storms)
- long term factors (sea level changes and climate change)
What are the 4 divisions of the littoral zone?
Backshore
Foreshore
Nearshore
Offshore
What is the coastal system?
The coastal system helps us to understand the processes and interactions involved - the inputs, processes and outputs. In theory these work together to create coastal equilibrium
What are the 4 types of inputs?
Marine (tsunamis, waves, tides)
Atmosphere (precipitation, solar energy, wind)
Terrestrial (tectonics, geology)
Human (buildings, pollution, tourism, sea defences)
What are the 3 types of processes?
Deposition
Transportation
Erosion
What are some examples of outputs?
Spits
Beaches
Caves
Stacks
Arches
Headlands and bays
Cliffs
Sand dunes
Wave cut platforms
Define Store/component
A part of the system where energy is stored/transferred
Define system
A set of components working together
Define flow/transfer/flux
A form of transfer between one store and another
Define input
The addition of matter or energy into a system
Define a closed system
Does not interact with its surroundings
Define an open system
Interacts with its surroundings
Define the coastline
Part of the land near the sea; the edge of the land
Define the coast
Regarded as an open system with inputs, processes and outputs; interacts with its surroundings