Marine transport

Question 1

What is longshore drift?

Answer 1

The offshore movement of sediment along the coast. It is strongest when waves approach the beach at a 30 degree angle

Question 2

When is longshore drift at its strongest?

Answer 2

When waves approach the beach at 30 degrees

Question 3

What are sediment cells?

Answer 3

These cells act as closed systems with inputs, transfers and sinks. Erosion in the main source of sediment, longshore drift is the main transfer and depositional landforms represent the main sink.

Question 4

What are sources in the sediment cell model?

Answer 4

Places where sediment is generated, such as cliffs or eroding sand dunes. Some sources are offshore bars and river systems and these are an important source of sediment for the coast.

Question 5

What are transfer zones in the sediment cell model?

Answer 5

Places where sediment is moving alongshore through longshore drift and offshore currents. Beaches and parts of dunes and salt marshes perform this function.

Question 6

What are sinks in the sediment cell model?

Answer 6

Locations where the dominant process is deposition and depositional landforms are created, including spits and offshore bars.

Question 7

What is dynamic equilibrium?

Answer 7

Sediment inputs balancing outputs to sinks. If disrupted, over time, it will return back to balance.