Physical Geography Coasts Flashcards
Give the 4 examples of energy input
Thermal energy- sun
Aeolian- wind
Waves- kinetic
Ocean currents
What is the definition of a coastal landscape system?
A sparse area compromising landforms and their system inputs and outputs.
What are some examples of sedimentary input?
Geology- different rocks
artificial sources- human
offshore- marine
river deposits- fluvial
Name 4 erosional landforms:
caves
headland
bays
wavecut platform/notch
name 4 depositional landforms:
Beaches
spits
sand dunes
estuaries
What ae some examples of outputs?
Evaporation
Sediment removed by wind
Aeolian/ fluvial
What is negative feedback ?
Its an automatic response to change disturbance to restore a dynamic equilibrium. The system adjusts to restore balance.
What is positive feedback?
A change within the system which generates further change so no equilibrium is reached. This is called the ‘snowball’ effect.
What is a closed system?
Have transfers of energy both into and beyond the system boundary but not the transfer of matter.
What is an open system?
And what is an example of an open system?
The boundaries are open to both inputs and outputs of energy and matter.
A coastal landscape system is recognised as an open system.
Define what is meant by the term sediment cells.
and give an example of one.
A sediment cell is a stretch of coastline which sediment is self contained.
An example of a sediment cell would be Flamborough head.
What are the three key points of sediment cells?
- Affected by the shape of the coastline +river presence
- They are huge natural barriers which prevent the transfer of sediment
- Sub cells of a smaller scale within major cells
What is meant but sediment budget?
The balance between the rate of inputs and outputs within a system.
What is meant by sediment surplus?
When input rates exceed the rate of outputs.
What is meant by sediment deficit?
When the rate of outputs exceeds the rate of inputs within a system.
