Physical Factors - P Flashcards
What are the 5 physical factors affecting coastal landscapes
- winds
- waves
- tides
- geology
- currents
How do we know which factors are most important
It depends on specific location, spatial scale and temporal scales
What does Aeolian mean
- relating to or arising from the action of the wind e.g. erosion, transportation and deposition of sand by wind.
What do Aeolian processes require
require wind energy to operate
What 4 processes can wind affect
- form waves
- erode landforms
- transport and deposition materials
- create and modify landforms
What process is where wind picks up sand
deflation
What is suspension
the transportation of the smallest grains of sand (in the air)
What is saltation
The transportation of medium grains of sand by bouncing along the ground
What is surface creep
the transportation of the largest grains of sand by rolling them across the ground
What is attrition
the breaking down of particles (occurs as sand particles collide during transport
What is the dominant wind
a wind perpendicular to the coast - usually storm winds (90 degrees)
What’s is the prevailing wind
The most common direction of wind in a location
What is an onshore wind
wind blowing from the sea to the land
What is an offshores wind
wind blowing from the land to the sea
What is the source of energy for coastal erosion and sediment transport
wave action
How is wave energy generated
By the frictional drag of winds moving across the ocean surface.
what factors of wind gives the waves more energy
- higher wind speed
- longer fetch
What type of winds drive waves to the coast
onshore winds
What happens when wind blows at an oblique angle (an angle other than 90 degrees)
the resultant waves generate longshore drift
How are waves formed
by the frictional drag of winds moving across the ocean surface
What is wave frequency
the time between waves - usually measured in seconds
which 3 factors combine to generate waves
- strength of wind
- length of time wind blows
- distance over which the wind has been blowing (fetch)
What is the strength of wind measured in
metres per kilometres per hour
what is length of time wind blows measured in
hours