Dynamic Nature Of Coasts Flashcards
The coast is a 1 between land and sea. It is 2 due to the effects of 3,4,5 processes
- Narrow contact zone 2. Constantly changing 3. Land, air and marine
Main force of coastal change
Waves
How are waves created
Usually created by the transfer of energy from wind
The height and straight depends on (3)
1 the speed of the wind 2. The time the wind blows or 3. The length of water the wind blows over (fetch)
The maximum distance of water over which wind can blow is called
The fetch
The greater the fetch the
Larger the wave
Fetch meaning
When wind blows over a stretch of water
What happens when a wave approaches the coastline
Friction caused by the seabed slows down the lower sections of the wave
What happens the over section of the wave when it approaches a coastline
It reaches a crest then topples over (breaks)
What is it called when the wave retreats
Backwash
Characteristics of a constructive wave
Strong swash, weak backwash, long in relation to height, less than 1 metre, gentle steepness, around 6-9 per min, further apart
Characteristics of a destructive wave
Strong backwash, weak swash, high in relation to length, more than 1 metre high, steep waves, around 15 per min, close together
