Geomorphic processes

Question 1

What is weathering?

Answer 1

Weathering is the physical or chemical breakdown of rock into smaller pieces that are not transported.

Question 2

Examples of weathering processes are..

Answer 2

• Freeze thaw: When water passes through holes in rocks
• Biological: Plant roots burrow into rocks. Sea creatures attach and produce chemicals to attack minerals in the rock.
  Chemical: Rain & sea water is a weak acid which dissolves chalk and limestone rocks over time.

Question 3

What is erosion?

Answer 3

Erosion is the transporting of material that has been weathered (worn away) from one place to another.

Question 4

What are the 2 types of erosion?

Answer 4

Water: Occurs when waves and coastal rivers carry swash sediments from inland areas out onto the coast.

Wind: Wind picks up rock material and sand blasts larger rocks such as cliffs.

Question 5

What is deposition?

Answer 5

Deposition is the process by which eroded material is added to a landscape.

Question 6

Examples of deposition…

Answer 6

• Waves and currents move sand along the coast and deposit it in large piles or strips in the form of beaches, sandbars and sand spits.
• Wind carries sand and forms sand-based landforms such as sand dunes.

Question 7

What is longshore drift?

Answer 7

Longshore drift is the movement of the waves and runs parallel to the coastline and carries the sediment that destructive waves have eroded from beaches.

Question 8

How is longshore drift caused?

Answer 8

It is caused by the angle of waves crashing onto the shore as well as the shape of the land and direction of the current.