Impact of geology on coastlines

Question 1

Define Lithology

Answer 1

Lithology is the characteristics of rocks

Question 2

What are the 3 major rock types?

Answer 2

Igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary

Question 3

Characteristics of Igneous rocks

Answer 3

Very slow erosion rate, Igneous rocks are crystalline and the interlocking crystals make for a hard erosion resistant rock. For example, granite has few joints so there are limited weaknesses for erosion to exploit

Question 4

Characteristics of Metamorphic rock

Answer 4

Slow erosion rate, crystalline Metamorphic rocks are resistant to erosion. Metamorphic rocks are often folded and heavily fractures which are weaknesses that erosion can exploit, e.g. slate

Question 5

Characteristics of Sedimentary rock

Answer 5

Moderate to fast rate of erosion, most Sedimentary rocks are clastic and erode faster than crystalline rock, the age of sedimentary rocks are important (geologically young rocks are weaker), e.g. sandstone

Question 6

Define geology

Answer 6

Geology describes the structure of a rock and the processes that have shaped that rock

Question 7

Geology of the UK

Answer 7

The geology of the North has a higher percentage of Igneous and Metamorphic rock e.g. Granite.

The majority of the landscape in the South is made up of sedimentary rock e.g. Chalk which is easier to erode.

(This is divided using the Tee-Exe Line)

Question 8

What is geological structure?

Answer 8

This refers to the arrangement of rocks in 3 dimensions, Strata, Deformation and Faulting.
These 3 aspects influence coastal landscapes and the development of landforms

Question 9

Define strata

Answer 9

The different layers of rock and rock type within an area and how they relate to eachother

Question 10

Define deformation

Answer 10

The degree to which rock units have been deformed by tectonic activity (tilted or folded)

Question 11

Define faulting

Answer 11

The presence of major fractures that have moved rocks from their original positions