Marine Transportation + Deposition: Sediment Cells

Question 1

What are sediment cells?

Answer 1

• sections of coasts often borders by prominent headlands
• self contained, often local scale + are in dynamic equilibrium so a change in 1 area will lead to changes in other sections hence are vulnerable to human interference (coastal defences)

Question 2

Describe the process of a sediment cell.

Answer 2

• a high energy area, in which prevailing winds form destructive waves, creates sediment through erosion
• sediment is washed onto beach, building it up
• longshore drift then moves sediment along beach, towards cliff
• high energy, destructive waves drag sediment offshore + prevents movement past headland
• offshore sediments are picked up by shallow waves + brought back in by high energy waves