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Geography Coasts > Isostatic and eustatic sea level changes > Flashcards

Isostatic and eustatic sea level changes Flashcards

1
Q

What is eustatic sea level change?

A

A rise or fall in water levels caused by a change in the volume of water, which is a global change and occurs relatively quickly.

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2
Q

What occurs during isostatic sea level change?

A

Movement of the land relative to the sea, resulting in a local rise or fall of the ground over time.

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3
Q

What causes global sea level increases during the ice age?

A

Melting ice returns water to the sea, causing sea levels to increase globally.

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4
Q

What is thermal expansion in the context of sea level changes?

A

An increase in the volume of ocean water caused by global temperature increases.

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5
Q

How did the onset of the ice age affect sea levels?

A

The temperature fell, leading to water freezing into glaciers and a subsequent fall in sea level.

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6
Q

What is the relationship between isostatic and eustatic changes during the last glacial period?

A

They are linked but happen at very different rates.

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7
Q

Fill in the blank: Eustatic changes are caused by a change in the _______.

A

[volume of water]

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8
Q

True or False: Isostatic sea level changes occur quickly and are global in nature.

A

False

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9
Q

What happens to sea levels when the ice age ends?

A

Sea levels increase due to the melting ice returning water to the sea.

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10
Q

What are two common reasons for sea-level changes?

A
  1. Ongoing isostatic rebound and melting from the last ice age.
  2. Global warming leading to rising average temperatures.
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11
Q

By how much did average global temperatures rise from 1880 to 2012?

A

0.85 degrees Celsius

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12
Q

What was the average sea level rise from 1870 to 2010?

A

21 cm

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13
Q

What causes sea levels to rise due to climate change?

A

Melting of ice sheets and thermal expansion of seawater.

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14
Q

What tectonic activity affected Aceh province’s coastline?

A

Tectonic subsidence resulting in a ria.

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15
Q

What happens to coral reefs in tectonically active zones?

A

They can be raised and subsequently eroded by wave action.

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16
Q

True or False: Tectonic changes to coastlines are common and widespread.

A

False

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17
Q

Fill in the blank: The planet is getting hotter due to _______.

A

global warming

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18
Q

What is isostatic rebound?

A

The process of the Earth’s crust rising after being compressed by ice sheets.

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19
Q

What is a ria?

A

A coastal inlet formed by the flooding of a river valley.

20
Q

What are the effects of changing sea levels being felt globally?

A

Increased flooding, coastal erosion, salinisation, and migration issues

Millions of euros have been invested in protective measures like the Delta works in the Netherlands.

21
Q

Which region is experiencing more than 20 meters of erosion each year?

A

Sundarbans region of West Bengal and the low-lying delta of Bangladesh

This area is among the fastest eroding coastlines globally.

22
Q

What natural disasters are increasing in frequency due to changing sea levels?

A

Cyclones and associated tidal surges

These events are exacerbated by rising sea levels.

23
Q

What challenges are low-lying island states in the Pacific Ocean facing due to sea-level rise?

A

Increased rates of salinisation, coastal erosion, and storm surges

These challenges are forcing many residents to consider migration.

24
Q

Which part of the UK has a high risk of flooding and destruction?

A

The east coast

This area is densely populated and contains critical infrastructure.

25
Q

What types of critical infrastructure are at risk on the east coast of the UK?

A

Power stations, including nuclear power plants

Six nuclear power plants are present, two of which have been deactivated.

26
Q

True or False: The Sundarbans region is experiencing minimal coastal erosion.

A

False

The Sundarbans is one of the fastest eroding coastlines globally.

27
Q

Fill in the blank: The Delta works in the Netherlands are designed to safeguard against _______.

A

sea-level rise

Significant public funds are invested for maintenance and improvements.

28
Q

What is the total potential sea-level rise from Greenland?

A

7.4 meters

This is based on the melting of the Greenland ice sheet.

29
Q

What is the total potential sea-level rise from Antarctica?

A

56.6 meters

This figure represents the potential contribution of the Antarctic ice sheet to sea-level rise.

30
Q

What are the causes of short-term sea-level changes?

A
  • Tides
  • Low pressure systems
  • Strong winds
31
Q

What are the causes of long-term sea-level changes?

A
  • Eustatic changes
  • Isostatic changes
  • Tectonic processes
32
Q

What are eustatic changes caused by?

A

The exchange of water between the world’s oceans and ice sheets and glaciers.

33
Q

Define isostatic changes.

A

Changes in sea level due to the adjustment of the Earth’s crust.

34
Q

What does accretion refer to in the context of sea-level change?

A

Growth of new land.

35
Q

What does subsidence refer to?

A

The sinking of land, which can affect sea-level relative to land.

36
Q

What is thermohaline circulation?

A

Deep ocean currents driven by temperature and salinity differences.

37
Q

Which event displaced parts of the crust by as much as 15 meters vertically?

A

The Indian Ocean tsunami in 2006.

38
Q

What does relative sea-level change refer to?

A

Changes in sea level relative to the land.

39
Q

Fill in the blank: Eustatic changes are due to the _______.

A

[exchange of water between the world’s oceans and ice sheets and glaciers]

40
Q

What are isostatic changes?

A

Isostatic changes refer to the adjustments of Earth’s crust in response to loading and unloading, such as glacial melting.

41
Q

What is isostatic recovery?

A

Isostatic recovery is the process by which the Earth’s crust rises or falls in response to changes in surface load.

42
Q

What are some factors involved in longer-term sea level change?

A

Factors include:
* Thermal expansion
* Increased rates of sea floor spreading
* Subsidence
* Accretion
* Thermohaline circulation

43
Q

What does relative sea-level change result from?

A

Relative sea-level change is the result of a combination of various factors.

44
Q

True or False: Sea level change is the same everywhere.

A

False

45
Q

Fill in the blank: Sea level change is not the same everywhere due to _______.

A

[melting]

46
Q

What is the impact of melting on sea level change?

A

Melting affects sea level change by contributing to local variations in sea level.

Geography Coasts (23 decks)

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