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geography > uk's physical & coastal landscape > Flashcards

uk's physical & coastal landscape Flashcards

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1
Q

what causes waves

A

wind blows over the waves sources - friction w/ the wind

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2
Q

why are some waves stronger than others

A
  • strength of the wind
  • how long the wind has travelled for
  • distance travelled > fetch
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3
Q

what are the two types of waves

A
  • constructive
  • destructive
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4
Q

how does the wave type affect the coastline?

A
  • constructive waves build up a beach > flat, wide, beaches
  • destructive waves take away > steeper beaches
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5
Q

characteristics of destructive waves

A
  • backwash is stronger than swash
  • takes away material
  • short wavelength
  • high frequency
  • longer wave height
  • circular orbit
  • high energy waves - found in exposed areas
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6
Q

characteristics of constructive waves

A
  • swash is stronger than backwash
  • deposits material
  • longer wavelength
  • shorter frequency
  • short wave height
  • eliptical orbit
  • low energy waves found in sheltered bays + spits
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7
Q

what are the 3 coastal processes?

A

erosion, transportation, deposition

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8
Q

what are the 4 types of erosion

A

abrasion, hydraulic action, attrition, solution.

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9
Q

what is abrasion

A

the waves throw pebbles and rocks against the cliffs, wearing them away

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10
Q

what is hydraulic action

A

the force of waves traps air in cracks. this processes is repeated over time until the air pressure breaks off pieces of rock

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11
Q

what is attrition

A

the pebbles and rocks are worn away as they crash against each other

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12
Q

what is solution (erosion)

A

chemicals in the water break down the rock the rock

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13
Q

what are the 4 types of transportation

A

solution, suspension, saltation. traction

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14
Q

what is solution (transportation)

A

material dissolved in the water

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15
Q

what is suspension

A

material that is held in the water

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16
Q

what is saltation

A

material is bounced along the seabed

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17
Q

what is traction

A

heaviest material is rolled along the sea bed

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18
Q

longshore drift

A

Waves approach the coast at an angle because of the direction of prevailing wind. The swash will carry the material towards the beach at an angle. The backwash then flows back to the sea, down the slope of the beach. The process repeats itself along the coast in the zigzag movement.

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19
Q

deposition

A

When the river loses energy, it drops any of the material it has been carrying

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20
Q

what are the factors leading to deposition

A
  • waves starting to slow down and lose energy
  • shallow water
  • sheltered areas, e.g. bays
  • little or no wind
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21
Q

weathering

A

breaking down of rock in situ

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22
Q

types of weathering

A

mechanical and chemical

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23
Q

freeze thaw weathering

A

Water enters cracks in the rock. When temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands causing the crack to widen. The ice melts and water makes its way deeper into the cracks. The process repeats itself until the rock splits entirely.

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24
Q

carbonation

A

Rainwater and seawater can be a weak acid. If a coastline is made up of rocks such as limestone or chalk, over time they can become dissolved by the acid in the water.

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25
Q

mass movement

A

the downward movement of rock or soil due to gravity caused by the weathering of the rock and heavy rainfall.

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26
Q

sliding

A

A slide occurs when a portion of the soil or rock along a steep slope suddenly gives away and moves downhill, usually aided by heavy rainfall. Sliding mass movement occurs on slopes weakened by weathering such as landslides, rockslides, and mudslides.

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27
Q

slumping

A

In slumping, the soil or rock debris moves downhill along a concave or curved plane in a rotational manner. The upper part of the slump moves vertically downward, but the lower part moves outward, forming what is known as a toe at the bottom of the slump area.

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28
Q

rockfalls

A

A rockfall is the fastest moving type of mass movement where rocks break away from the cliff face and fall, bounce or roll downslope. Rock falls are typical in areas that experience freeze-thaw mechanical weathering, which causes chunks of rock to lose contact with the cliff face and fall

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29
Q

discordant coastline

A

bands of differing rock types run perpendicular to the coast

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30
Q

concordant coastline

A

bands of differing rock types run parallel to the coast

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31
Q

formation of bays and headlands

A

Bands of soft rock such as clay and sand are weaker therefore they can be eroded quickly. This process forms bays. A bay is an inlet of the sea where the land curves inwards, usually with a beach. Hard rock such as chalk is more resistant to the processes of erosion. When the softer rock is eroded inwards, the hard rock sticks out into the sea, forming a headland

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32
Q

formation of wave cut platform

A

The sea attacks the base of the cliff between the high and low water mark. A wave-cut notch is formed by erosional processes such as abrasion and hydraulic action - this is a dent in the cliff usually at the level of high tide. As the notch increases in size, the cliff becomes unstable and collapses, leading to the retreat of the cliff face. The backwash carries away the eroded material, leaving a wave-cut platform.
The process repeats. The cliff continues to retreat

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33
Q

what are the two types of coastal management

A
  • soft - working with nature
  • hard engineering - working against nature
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34
Q

what is soft engineering

A

schemes that work with natural processes to reduce the effects of flooding and erosion

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35
Q

what is hard engineering

A

man made structures built to control the flow of the sea to reduce flooding and erosion

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36
Q

advantages and disadvantages of soft engineering

A

often cheaper as you are working with nature
can be less effective

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37
Q

advantages and disadvantages of hard engineering

A

often expensive
can be more effective

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38
Q

description of sea wall

A

hard engineering - a barrier between waves and land
- usually made out of concrete, modern versions have a curved face they reflect and absorb wave energy back out to sea and so reduce the waves erosive power.

39
Q

advantages and disadvantages of sea wall

A

advantages:
- effective
- prevents erosion
- acts as a barrier
- can act as a promenade/cycle path
- can last for many years
disadvantages:
- expensive to build (£5000/m)
- strong backwash erodes beach
- expensive to maintain
- can restrict access to the beach

40
Q

assessment of sea walls

A

good for densely populated areas, will have to be built higher due to rising sea levels

41
Q

description of rock armour

A

hard engineering - large rocks creating a physical barrier
- as water enters the gap pressure is released so the waves have less power

42
Q

advantages and disadvantages of rock armour

A

advantages:
- cheaper than a sea wall (£1000 - 3000/m)
- gaps disperse energy
- fairly cheap
- built quickly
disadvantages:
- unattractive and restricts access to the beach
- expensive to import
- can need maintenance

43
Q

assessment of rock armour

A

appropriate for towns + densely populated areas

44
Q

description of gabions

A

hard engineering - steel wire mesh cages filled w/ pebbles/rocks
- placed against cliffs so that the waves enter the cages which absorbs energy reducing erosion

45
Q

advantages and disadvantages of gabions

A

advantages:
- low cost + low tech (£110/m)
- accessible for diff. levels of economic development
- reduces erosion
- quick + easy to build
- vegetation can grow over them - looks natural
- can last 20-25 years
disadvantages:
- if damaged, dangerous for bird life + for humans
- ugly to look at
- cages can corrode so maintenance needed

46
Q

assessment of gabions

A

good options for coastal residents

47
Q

description of groynes

A

hard engineering -structures (wooden or stone) built at right angles to the beach
- reduces LSD so beach grows larger

48
Q

advantages and disadvantages of groynes

A

advantages:
- creates wider beaches
- encourages tourism
- fairly cheap (£5000 each)
- can last up to 40 years
disadvantages:
- prevents material from being transported down the coast and so starve these areas of sediment which increases erosion in areas
- hazard to windsurfers

49
Q

assessment of groynes

A

good for touristic areas affected by LSD

50
Q

description of beach nourishment

A

SE - replacing or adding of sand or pebbles on a beach
- a beach is the best form of natural defence as it absorbs wave energy

51
Q

advantages and disadvantages of beach nourishments

A

advantages:
- creates wider beaches
- stops erosion
- natural
- blends in w/ environment
disadvantages:
- can kill sponges and corals in sea bed when taking materials
- costs are high £2 mil
- has to be repeated
storms can remove material

52
Q

assessment of beach nourishments

A

good for touristic areas

53
Q

description of beach reprofiling

A

SE - artificially reshaping of a beach using existing beach material`

54
Q

advantages and disadvantages of beach reprofiling

A

advantages:
- costs spread over time
- looks relatively natural
disadvantages:
- has to be done twice a year
- causes disruption
- cost can be 200k/year
- bulldozers are noisy
- beach can look unnatural
- beach habitats can be disrupted

55
Q

assessment of beach reprofiling

A

good for touristic areas affected by LSD
- work with groynes

56
Q

description of dune regeneration

A

SE - artificial creation of new sand dunes or regeneration of existing dunes
- plant fences to encourage sand to build up behind them and marram grass to stabilise the dunes
- sand dunes act as a barrier and absorb wave energy

57
Q

advantages and disadvantages of dune regeneration

A

advantages:
- effective protection from the sea
- low cost
- works w/ natural environment
disadvantages:
- restrict access to the beach
- involves removal of sea-buck thorn to be effective - more expensive

58
Q

assessment of dune regeneration

A

good for areas with low population density

59
Q

description of managed retreat

A

SE - area of the coast is allowed to erode and flood naturally
- usually in area considered to be of low value
- encourages the development of salt marshes which store water in times of flood

60
Q

advantages and disadvantages of managed retreat

A

advantages:
- reduces pressure of flooding further along the coast
- very cheap
- conserves natural coastal habitats
disadvantages:
- land can be lost
- relocation costs can be high
- locals feel ‘let down’ and communities can be broken up

61
Q

assessment of managed retreat

A

good for areas w/ low value land.

62
Q

what is a drainage basin

A

the area of land drained by a river and its tributaries with a boundary known as the watershed

63
Q

what are the three stages of a river

A

upper, middle and lower course

64
Q

what is the river like in the upper course

A
  • location of teh source
  • river volume is small and shallow
  • v shaped
65
Q

what river features are found in the upper course

A
  • v-shaped valleys
  • interlocking spurs
  • waterfalls
  • rapids
66
Q

what is the river like in the middle course

A
  • river is increasing in colume
  • it has become wider and deeper
  • the relief of the land around it has reduced
67
Q

what river features are found in the middle course

A
  • meanders
  • ox-bow lakes
68
Q

what is the river like in the lower course

A
  • the river has reached its highest volume as it nears the mouth
  • land is flat as the river is close to sea level
  • river channel is at its widest and deepest
69
Q

what river feautures are found in the lower course

A
  • levees
  • estuaries
70
Q

hydraulic action

A

water under high pressure cause cracks to force apart and widen in any rocks along the bank and river

71
Q

abrasion

A

the rock carried by the river scrape anf bang against the sides of the river and so wear away the channel gradually

72
Q

attrition

A

rocks and pebbles hit each other so they then become rounder and smaller

73
Q

solution

A

chemicals or acids dissolved in the river channel can dissolve rocks

74
Q

traction

A

large, heavy pebbles are rolled along the river bed. This is most common near the source of a river, as here the
load is larger.

75
Q

saltation

A

pebbles are bounced along the river bed, most commonly near the source

76
Q

suspension

A

lighter sediment is suspended (carried) within the water, most commonly near the
mouth of the river

77
Q

solution

A

the transport of dissolved chemicals. This varies along the river depending on the presence of soluble rocks.

78
Q

what factors lead to deposition in rivers:

A
  • shallow water
  • at the end of the river’s journey, at the river’s mouth
  • when the volume of the water decreases
79
Q

watershed

A

the area of high land forming the edge of a river basin

80
Q

source

A

where a river begins

81
Q

mouth

A

where a river meets the sea

82
Q

confluence

A

a small river or stream that joins a larger riverthe point at which two rivers meet

83
Q

tributary

A

a small river or stream that joins a larger river

84
Q

channel

A

where the river flows

85
Q

what is the long profile of a river

A

a line representing the river from its source (where it starts) to its mouth (where it meets the sea). It shows how the river changes over its course.

86
Q

what is the cross profile of a river

A

a cross-section of a river’s channel and valley
at a certain point along the river’s course.

87
Q

how are waterfalls formed

A
  1. The soft rock is eroded quicker than the hard rock and this creates a step.
    As erosion continues, the hard rock is undercut forming an overhang.
  2. Abrasion and hydraulic action erode to create a plunge pool
  3. Over time this gets bigger, increasing the size of the overhang until the hard rock is no longer supported and it collapses. This process continues and the waterfall retreats upstream.
  4. A steep-sided valley is left where the waterfall once was. This is called a
    gorge
    .
88
Q

how are interlocking spurs formed

A

In the upper course there is more
vertical erosion. The river cuts down into the valley. If there are areas of hard rock which are harder to erode, the river will bend around it. This creates interlocking spurs of land which link together like the teeth of a zip.

89
Q

how are meanders formed

A
  1. As a river goes around a bend, most of the water is pushed towards the outside. This causes increased speed and therefore increased erosion (through hydraulic action and abrasion).
  2. The lateral erosion on the outside bend causes undercutting of the bank to form a
    river cliff.
  3. Water on the inner bend is slower, causing the water to slow down and deposit the eroded material, creating a gentle slope of sand and shingle.
  4. The build-up of deposited sediment is known as a slip-off slope (or sometimes river beach).
90
Q

how are oxbow lakes formed

A

Due to erosion on the outside of a bend and deposition on the inside, the shape of a meander will change over a period of time. Erosion narrows the neck of the land within the meander and as the process continues, the meanders move closer together. When there is a very high discharge (usually during a flood), the river cuts across the neck, taking a new, straighter and shorter route. Deposition will occur to cut off the original meander, leaving a horseshoe-shaped oxbow lake.

91
Q

what is a floodplain

A

an area of land which is covered in water when a river bursts its banks.

92
Q

what is the makeup of floodplains

A

Floodplains are often agricultural land, as the area is very fertile because it’s made up of
alluvium (deposited silt from a river flood). The floodplain is often a wide, flat area caused by meanders shifting along the valley.

93
Q

how are levees formed

A
  1. Levees occur in the lower course of a river when there is an increase in the volume of water flowing downstream and flooding occurs.
  2. Sediment that has been eroded further upstream is transported downstream.
    When the river floods, the sediment spreads out across the floodplain.
    3.When a flood occurs, the river loses energy. The largest material is deposited first on the sides of the river banks and smaller material further away.
    4.After many floods, the sediment builds up to increase the height of the river banks, meaning that the channel can carry more water (a greater discharge) and flooding is less likely to occur in the future.
94
Q

what is an estuary

A

where the river meets the sea, the river here is tidal and when the sea retreats the volume of the water in the estuary is reduced. When there is less water, the river deposits silt to form
mudflats
which are an important habitat for wildlife.

geography (4 decks)

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