Factors affecting erosion- COASTS

Question 1

Waves

Answer 1

Rate and type of erosion primarily influenced by size and type of wave. Most erosion happens during winter storms when destructive waves are most powerful

cases study - North sea storm
-4 meter waves
- 1,400 homes flooded in east cost
- salt destroyed soil health

However
- no one killed and locals helped rescue ppl

Question 2

Rock types

Answer 2

Tough resistant rocks such as granite erode at a very slow rate compared to weaker clays and shales. Holderness coast eroded 120m in last century.

Case study - Holdernesss coast
- boulder clay - soft
- is the fastest eroding cost in europe
- 2 meters a yr

Question 3

Geological structure\geology

Answer 3

Cracks, joints, bedding places and faults creates weaknesses in a cliff that can be exploited by Erosional processes (hydraulic action etc)

case study: Flambourough head

• vertical cracks (joints) and faults ( displaced rock) can be found here

Question 4

Presence/ absence of a beach

Answer 4

Beaches absorb wave energy and reduce the impacts of a wave on a cliff

Question 5

Sub aerial processes

Answer 5

inland proccesses that are befire the shoreline.
Weathering and mass movement weaken cliffs and create piles of debris that are easily eroded by the sea

Question 6

Coastal management

Answer 6

Structure such as groynes and seawalls have an impact on sediment transfer and patterns of wave energy along a coastline. Groynes may deprive beaches down coast of sediment, which may increase erosion. Sea walls may deflect ave energy elsewhere along the coast