Erosion

Question 1

What is hydraulic action?

Answer 1

The impact of the sheer force of the water on the rocks which exerts an enormous pressure on the rock surface and weakens it.

Question 2

What is abrasion/corrasion?

Answer 2

Sand, shingle and boulders are hurled against a cliff line by the water.

Question 3

What is attrition?

Answer 3

The rocks in the sea which carry out abrasion are slowly worn down into smaller, more rounded pieces.

Question 4

What is corrosion/solution?

Answer 4

The dissolving of calcium based rocks which makes the water slightly acidic

Question 5

What is wave quarrying?

Answer 5

Breaking waves trap air in the cliff face, creating huge pressure in the joint so when water pulls back, an explosive effect of air release breaks away pieces of the cliff

Question 6

What is cavitation?

Answer 6

The process of wave quarrying when it takes place during a storm so larger chunks are removed from the cliff

Question 7

What is the difference between a factor and a process?

Answer 7

A process is an action that changes an environment whereas a factor is a circumstance which helps determine which processes are most likely to take place.

Question 8

What is differential erosion?

Answer 8

The different rates of erosion that occur along a coastline due to geological factors, e.g. the resistance of the rock and structural weaknesses (faults, joints, bedding planes)