Types of Coastlines Flashcards
which is the most common type of coastline in the world?
rocky coast
Rocky coasts consist of…
a wave-cut cliff
a lower bench area
the lower bench area of rocky coasts forms from…
material that erodes off of the cliff and accumulates and is eroded and taken away by wave action.
what are some features/characteristic landforms of rocky coasts?
arches, stacks, caves, notches
features of rocky coasts form by _____ action and ______
wave, erosion
As arches further erode they become…
stacks
Waves action is constantly undercutting cliffs which causes….
collapses and landslides that accumulate on the benches
where do collapses and landslides accumulate?
on the benches
Coastal rocky cliffs erode at the _____ and cause _______
base, landslides
Earthquakes can also trigger…
landslides
Landslides on cliff shorelines can give rise to…
giant waves
Beaches consists of wave-washed _______ along a coast
sediment
barrier islands are formed along…
lowland coasts
what are some ways shoreline erosion mitigated?
sea walls
breakwaters
groins
where do delta coasts form?
where a river empties out into a larger body of water
In deltas is there a lot of sediment deposited?
yes
what is the predictable pattern of delta deposition?
courser, larger sediment deposit and settle first, smaller last
What are the four types of coastlines?
rocky coasts, beaches, barrier islands, deltas
what are reefs?
hard structures built on a shallow ocean floor
Reefs are hard _______ build on a _______ ocean floor
structures, shallow
what are reefs built from?
the shells of tiny animals called polyps
reefs are built from the shells of tiny animals called _____
the shells of tiny animals called polyps
what are polyp shells made of?
limetone
what are the two types of reefs?
barrier reefs
fringing reefs
Barrier reefs are _______ from land by a lagoon
separated
What are barrier reefs separated from land by??
lagoons
Fringing reefs form coastlines that…
closely border the adjacent land
which reef forms closer to the land?
fringing reefs
reefs can only exist in water between ___ and ___ degrees Celsius
18 30
where are reefs often found?
in places where deep sea upwellings currents provide ample nutrients for the reef
reefs play important ______ and ______ roles
biological, environmental
reefs can support a ______ of species
diversity
coral reefs enable recycling of ______ in coastal areas?
nutrients
barrier islands can protect…
ports and other economic structures built behind them
