Key vocabulary- Coasts

Question 1

Define erosion

Answer 1

The wearing of any material by the action of water, ice or wind.

Question 2

Define weathering

Answer 2

The disintegration of rocks by the in situ action of the weather,plants,animals, and chemicals.

Question 3

Define marine processes.

Answer 3

The action of the sea on costal landforms.

Question 4

Define sub-ariel processes

Answer 4

Processes active in the face and top of cliffs

Question 5

Name two factors that strongly influence the rate of marine weathering.

Answer 5

1. Geology (rock type and structure)

2. Climate

Question 6

How does geology effect weathering? Name the 3 reasons.

Answer 6

1. Rock cohesion
   (how well cemented the grains are). For example, weakly cemented rock would have a higher weathering rate
2. Lines of weakness
   Sedimentary rocks are laid in horizontal beds. The sedimentary rock moves bedding plains and joints form, therefore increasing the surface area.
3. Composition
   For example, chalk is easily weathered by composition.

Question 7

How does climate effect weathering. Name the 2 factors.

Answer 7

1. Amount of precipitation
   More ppt means more weathering as rate of hydrolysis and carbonation is increased.
2. Temperature

Question 8

Define a Landform

Answer 8

A physical feature on the earths surface.

Question 9

What is a soil creep and how does it occur?

Answer 9

Soil particles are pushed to the surface by weathering/ heating/ freezing. When the particles dry/ cool/ thaw they move down in a NET DOWNSLOPE MOVEMENT.

Question 10

What is a surface wash and how does it occur?

Answer 10

This happens when the soil’s infiltration capacity is exceeded and a gully forms.

Question 11

What is a fall and how does it happen ?

Answer 11

Rock falls occur on steep slopes. Rocks are eroded/ weathered and then fall under the influence of gravity.

Question 12

What is a slump and how does it happen?

Answer 12

Slumps occur on weaker rocks when too much water is absorbed/ the base has been undercut and the rock falls.

Question 13

Define flocculation

Answer 13

The process by which suspended clay particles in fresh water mix with salt water and COAGULATE (stick together). This means they get heavier and therefore sink under the influence of gravity.

Question 14

In which coastal environments is flocculation an important process? Why?

Answer 14

1. Sheltered areas- because it builds up the coastline to counteract erosion.
2. Salt marshes- because it is important for salt marshes to accrete (grow) at times of sea level rise.

Question 15

How does deposition occur?

Answer 15

1. Wave energy/ velocity drops
2. Sediment cannot be transported at lower water speed
3. Deposition occurs