The Sea Flashcards
What increases the size of the wave
The strength of the wind and length of the sea
What is backwash
The water that runs back out from the wave
What is swash
The frothy water that rushed onto the shore
What is a destructive wave
Occurs during stormy weather. Backwash stronger than swash and erosion occurs
What is a constructive wave
Occurs during calm weather. Swash stronger than backwash and deposition occurs
What is hydraulic action
The power of the water as it pounds against the coast
What is compressed air
Trapped air in the cracks in the rock by the incoming waves. Increases pressure
What is abrasion
Occurs when the waves pick up rocks and stones and hurl them against the coast
What is attrition
Material is worn down smoothies and rounded as they bounce off each other
What is solution
Acids in the water dissolve some rocks eg. limestone
What is a cliff
A form of erosion. Destructive waves attack the coast and cut into the rock, eroding a notch. The notch becomes deeper and the the overhang collapses.
What is a bay
A wide curved opening into the coast
What is a headland
A neck of high land that juts out into the sea
What is a blowhole
A passage that links the roof of a cave to the surface of the cliff top.
What is a sea cave
A tunnel or passage in the rock at the foot of a cliff. Formed when there is a weak spot.
What is a sea arch
A passage that runs right through a headland. Usually formed after a cave is deepened by erosion.
What is a beach
A build up of sand and shingle deposited by waves.
What is a sandspit
When there is a change in the shape of the coastline, deposition occurs. Leads to build up of sand.
What is a lagoon
A area of water that has been cut off from the sea by a bank of sand.
What is a sea wall
made of concrete to protect towns from attack. Bray.
What is a boulder
placed at the base of soft cliffs. Reduces erosion as the power of waves is reduced as they hit the boulders
What are groynes
Low walls often wood built at right angles to the coast. They reduce longshore drift by trapping sand
What are gabions
Wire cages filled with small stones to reduce the power of the wave.
What is uncleared settlement
Houses clustered together
What is linear settlement
Houses built in a line along the road
What is dispersed settlement
Individual houses scattered randomly around the countryside
What causes waves
Wind
