High And Low Energy Coastlines

Question 1

What are high energy coastline characterised by?

Answer 1

Erosion
High wave activity
Sediment budget deficit as removal exceeds accumulation

Question 2

What type of coastlines are depositional environments?

Answer 2

Lower energy

Critical control is sediment budget as accumulation exceeds removal

Question 3

Give a brief description of wave refraction

Answer 3

1. Wave approaches IRREGULAR coastline
2. As wave nears coastline, slowed by friction in shallower water off headland
3. Part of wave crest in deeper water approaching bay moves faster due to less friction
4. Wave become increasingly parallel to coast
5. Wave refract round headland and orthogonals converge
6. Headland received concentration of wave energy, erosion takes place
7. Waves break in side of headland at an angle there is longshore movement of eroded material into bays
8. In bays, orthogonals diverge and energy is dissipated, leading to deposition