low energy coastal environment- Rhone Delta France

Question 1

location

Answer 1

Flows into med sea- south of France
Two branches
1 grand Rhone- carries 85%
2 petit Rhone

Question 2

how delta formed

Answer 2

-formed over the last 7000 years
formed when a flood moved the rivers course to the current position.

Question 3

landforms of the Rhone delta

Answer 3

the sediment transport is split up into 4 cells.
Cell 1- longshore drift forming a spit at Marseilles.
Cell 3- converging longshore drift currents, resulted in formation of onshore bars.
longshore drift creating lagoons behind onshore bars and spits.

Question 4

Recent changes

Answer 4

Climate change and the increase in temperature are impacting the med. a sea level rise of 2mm a year plus increased storm activity leads to increased rates of erosion of beaches and dunes. Authorities have spend 15M on coastal protection eg groynes rip rap sea walls.

Question 5

why is Rhone delta low energy

Answer 5

low wind speed, low energy waves and gentle sloping beach.

Question 7

how have humans impacted Rhone delta

Answer 7

changed its channels from 3 to 1

Question 8

how much sand is deposited yearly?

Answer 8

17M