physical processes 1 Flashcards
What are the primary physical processes shaping coastal landscapes?
Coastal landscapes are shaped by weathering, mass movement, and erosion.
What is weathering?
Weathering is the breakdown of rocks while leaving the material in its original location.
What are the three primary types of weathering?
The three primary types of weathering are chemical weathering, mechanical weathering, and biological weathering.
What occurs during chemical weathering?
Chemical weathering occurs when rocks react with slightly acidic water, leading to the dissolution of minerals, such as limestone.
What is mechanical weathering?
Mechanical weathering involves water entering cracks in rocks, freezing and expanding, which ultimately fractures the rocks.
What drives biological weathering?
Biological weathering is driven by the growth of plants and the activity of animals.
What is mass movement?
Mass movement refers to the movement of materials down slopes under gravitational influence.
What are the types of mass movement?
Types of mass movement include sliding and slumping.
What is erosion?
Erosion is influenced by wave action, which can erode the coastline through several mechanisms.
What is abrasion in the context of erosion?
Abrasion occurs as breaking waves carry sand, pebbles, and boulders that strike the coast with force.
What does hydraulic action refer to?
Hydraulic action refers to the power of waves impacting the shoreline, compressing air in rock joints, which can lead to fragmentation.
What is attrition?
Attrition involves the gradual breakdown of rocks and pebbles as they collide with one another in the waves.
What is solution in the context of erosion?
Solution describes the chemical process where seawater dissolves certain rocks.
Why is understanding these processes important?
Understanding these interactions allows for better coastal management and conservation strategies.
