The Coastal System

Question 1

Name some geographical systems:

Answer 1

Energy system
Carbon system
Rock system
Atmospheric system
Nitrogen system
Water system

Question 2

What are the 3 components of a system? (And an extra)

Answer 2

Input, process, output
Feedback

Question 3

How is the coastline viewed as a system?

Answer 3

It has inputs, processes, and outputs. It is an open system as it strongly interacts with other systems e.g. (sediment is often from rivers and climatic systems altering sea levels)

Question 4

What are some inputs in the coastal system?

Answer 4

Wind
Precipitation
Ocean currents
Fluvial sediment

Question 5

What are some flows/transfers in the coastal system? (Processes)

Answer 5

Erosion
Mass movement
Longshore drift

Question 6

What are some stores/ components in the coastal system?

Answer 6

Headlands
Bars
Beaches
Spits
Sand dunes
Wave cut platforms

Question 7

What are some outputs in the coastal system?

Answer 7

• evaporation
• riptides

Question 8

What are some feedbacks in the coastal system?

Answer 8

• coastal management increasing erosion elsewhere
• mass movement decreasing cliff foot erosion

Question 9

What are some TERRESTRIAL factors influencing the coastline?

Answer 9

Tectonics
Supply of sediment
Glaciations

Question 10

What are some MARRINE PROCESSES influencing the coastline?

Answer 10

Biotic features
Sea level change
Tides
Wave shape/size
Fetch

Question 11

What are HUMAN INTERVENTION factors influencing the coastline?

Answer 11

Industrial and residential development
Sea defences
Conservation
Tourism and recreation

Question 12

What are some ATMOSPHERIC factors influencing the coastline?

Answer 12

Temperature
Pollution
Sub-Ariel processes
Winds
Precipitation
Global warming
Solar energy

Question 13

Give 4 ways in which the coastal system interacts with other earth systems:

Answer 13

• nitrogen cycle because of the plants/vegetation at the back of the coastline
• atmospheric system because of wind causing long short drift and also wind erosion or wave wash over off the beach
• the water/material from behind the beach gets brought out to the coast which is part of the fluvial system
• the rock system because of erosion of rocks

Question 14

What is dynamic equilibrium?

Answer 14

• a system in dynamic equilibrium has inputs and outputs of energy and matter that balance

Question 15

What is a landform?

Answer 15

Individual features which are created by coastal processes e.g. stacks, cave, wave cut platforms and spits

Question 16

What is a landscape?

Answer 16

The entire area of sea, coastline and immediate land behind the sea front. Within the landscape are landforms