Sediment Cells Flashcards
What a sediment cell is, what its classified as, and how it's system operates.
What is a system?
A series of inputs, stores, processes and outputs.
Give some examples of inputs of energy to a system.
Thermal energy, affecting weather and the hydrological cycle, Kinetic energy from the waves, Potential energy from cliffs, Gravitational energy causing tides and Human activity.
Give some examples of processes in a system.
Deposition, Transportation, Erosion, Mass movements, and Weathering.
Give some examples of outputs in a system.
Landforms of erosion, e.g. coves, headlands and wave-cut platforms and landforms of deposition, e.g. beaches and estuaries.
What is the difference between an open and a closed system?
A closed system only allows the transfer of energy between systems, whereas open systems allow the transfer of sediment and energy.
What is a sediment cell?
A stretch of coastline and its associated nearshore area, separated by headlands and bays.
How many sediment cells are there in England?
11
What kind of system is a sediment cell?
A closed system
*Can be defined as an open system, but the transfer is minimal.
How is sediment for these cells sourced?
Through fluvial and marine deposition, weathering and mass movement from cliffs.
What is sediment budget?
Sediment budget is the input of sediment minus the output, and therfore how much sediment has been gained or lost over a period of time.
What is equilibrium?
A long term balance between inputs and outputs in a system.
What is dynamic equilibrium?
When the equilibrium is disturbed, and the system undergoes self-regulation to restore the equilibrium.
What is positive feedback?
When a change as a result of dynamic equilibrium causes a further effect, or snowball effect that continues or even worsens the original effect.
What is negative feedback?
When a change as a result of dynamic equilibrium acts to lessen the effect of the original change, and ultimately to reverse it.
