Spits,tombolos,bars and Barrier-beaches Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a spit?

A

Enlongated, narrow ridge of land.

One end joined to mainland and projects out into the sea or estuary, usually on a drift-aligned coast.

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2
Q

What is a spit composed of?

A

Composed of sand and or shingle and the mixture is very much dependent upon the availability of material and the wave energy required to move it.

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3
Q

What determines material being carried along the beach?

A

The prevailing winds and maximum fetch will be carried along the beach by the process of longshore drift.

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4
Q

There is a build up of sand and shingle where?

A

In more sheltered water in the lee of the headland.

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5
Q

As material begins to move in the given direction, what happens ?

A

Storms build up more material above the high water mark, giving a greater degree of permanence to the feature.

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6
Q

The finer material is carried where ?

A

In the direction of prevailing winds into deeper water of the estuary, and as the water loses its capacity to transport it further is deposited, extending the ridge into the estuary.

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7
Q

The end of the spit then begins to do what?

A

Begins to curve round as wave refraction carries material round into the more sheltered water.

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8
Q

The second most dominant wind does what?

A

The second most dominant wind direction and fetch may contribute to this, pushing the spit material back towards the mainland.

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9
Q

The spit cannot do what?

A

Grow all the way across the estuary as the material is carried seaward by the river and the deeper water at the centre inhibits growth.

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10
Q

Characteristics of simple spits?

A

Are either straight or recurved.

Do not have minor spots, or recurved ridges, along their landward edge.

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