Gcse Coasts Flashcards
What is the swash
Water washing up the beach
Constructive wave
Build beaches
Destructive waves
Destroy beaches
Prevailing wind
Wind that blows from one direction
Fetch
The maximum length of open water over which the wind can blow.
Backwash
Water washing down the beach
Abrasion
When rocks are carried by the sea and picked up by strong waves then thrown against the coastline causing more material to break away and be carried away by the sea.
Attrition
When rocks hit and knock against each other. They become more rounded and smaller.
Solution
When sea water dissolves certain types of rock,(chalk, limestone).
Hydraulic action
The force of the waves crashing against the coastline causes the water to push its way through the cracks, the air trapped in between the water and cliff builds up in pressure and bursts causing bits of the cliff to break away.
Traction
The transportation of large rocks. The rocks are rolled along the riverbed.
Saltation
Transportation of medium rocks that are two heavy to be carried are bounced along the riverbed.
Suspension
Transport of small rocks that are picked up by waves and then carried by the water.
Solution (transportation)
Very small bits of sediment are dissolved in the water and then carried along with the waves.
Coastline definition
The boundary of a coast, where lands meet water.
