geo study guide Flashcards
what is a hydraulic action
repeated waves crashes into the coast
the rock structure weakens and rocks break
what is cavitation
breaking waves enter the cracks and joints of the rock
water traps and compresses air within the joints
rocks will eventually breakdown into smaller fragments
solution
rocks may contain water-soluble minerals such as calcium carbonate
when these minerals dissolve upon contact with water, pores are left in the rocks
abrasion
rocks that are carried by the water are thrown into the coast and breaks the coastal rocks
attrition
rocks carried by the water collide with each other and form smaller, smoother and rounder particles
what is a beach
a beach is a deposition of sand, pebbles or shell on a wave cut platform
how is a cave formed
waves erode weak spots at the base of the cliff forming notches. over time these notches grow and turn into a cave
how is an arch formed
when caves on opposite sides of the headline erode enough, they form an arch
how is a stack formed
the arch gets wider until the roof collapses leaving a tan pillar called a stack
how is a stump formed
stump forms when a stack is worn down by water and weathering, leaving a small flat rock.
what is the crest of a wave
the crest is the highest part of a wave
what is the trough of a wave
the trough is the lowest part of a wave
wave length
distance between two wave crest
wave height
the vertical distance between the crest and trough
what is the process of longshore drift
longshore drift is the process by which sediment (such as sand and rocks) is transported along the beach or coastline by the movement of water
