Nile Delta #3 zones and plains

Question 1

what has the rate of deposition done for the last 3000 yrs?

Answer 1

exceeded erosion but that is beginning to change

Question 2

Where is the coastal plain and which coastline does it run parallel to?

Answer 2

In the Northern part of the delta. parallel to the Mediterranean coastline

Question 3

What are the distinct subunits of the delta?

Answer 3

3 distinct subunits: foreshore plain, frontal plain and sandy zone.

Question 4

Foreshore plain

Answer 4

elongated ridges (offshore bars formed by a constant current or wave action removing sediment from delta then, small constructive waves shaping the bar in the nearshore zone),running parallel to current shoreline.

Question 5

Foreshore plain-lagoons

Answer 5

formed as onshore bars cut off parts of the sea

Question 6

Foreshore plain- Salt marshes

Answer 6

formed due to pioneer species e.g. eelgrass growing on deposits and stabilising sediment. Alluvial deposits in depressions between them.

Question 7

Frontal plain

Answer 7

Behind the foreshore plain, scattered eroded limestone outcrops and clay deposits.

Question 8

The sandy zone

Answer 8

A variety of sand formations such as sheets (large, low angles sheets of sand, formed by aeolian erosion in dunes where sediment size is too large to be transported by wind)

Question 9

The sandy zone- dunes

Answer 9

wind pushes sediment by surface creep until it reaches an obstacle, it then accumulates and builds up to form a dune.

Question 10

The sandy zone- hummocks

Answer 10

small hills-less than 15m- formed by wind like dunes.

Question 11

The sandy zone- distributaries

Answer 11

delta begins to split into distributaries at Cairo (160km inland)and they fan all over delta. 2 of the large distributaries (Rosetta and Damietta) have created large lobes extending beyond the front of the delta.