2.b.HE Coastal landforms are inter-related and together make up characteristic landscapes.

Question 1

background of Flamborough Head

Answer 1

Saltburn to Flamborough head

60km rocky stretch of coastline
1d sediment cell
in Yorkshire

Question 2

physical factors that influence the formation of landforms

Answer 2

geology
wave energy
sediment supply

Question 3

how geology influences the formation of landforms

Answer 3

sandstone, shales + limestone -> is discordantly laid which allows bays and headlands to form

in the south -> there is a large chalk headland which is harder rock (0.1m/yr) forming Flamborough head
bay is shale -> erodes at 0.8m/yr

Question 4

how wave energy influences the formation of landforms

Answer 4

1500km fetch -> therefore waves are high energy + mostly destructive
Southern prevailing winds -> LSD moves sediment south
Wind + waves vary seasonally -> in winter -> more storm conditions -> higher energy waves -> so more destructive -> rapid changes

Important factor -> as it determines the rate of erosion -> which influences the shape of the coastline

Question 5

how does sediment supply influence the formation of landforms

Answer 5

sea level rise (10,000 years ago) -> due to ice melting -> so material could then be moved onshore -> forming barrier beaches -> known as Flandrian transgression

erosion of cliffs -> acts as an ongoing source of sediment -> as it is removed by destructive waves -> and transported to coastlines

fluvial sediment - river estuary deposits sediment (minimal as only few rivers)

limited significance -> largely dependent on geology + wave energy -> to supply the sediment -> not a lot of it

Question 6

the interrelationship of landforms

Answer 6

Flamborough head + Green stacks:
wave refraction -> has meant waves energy are concentrated on Flamborough head -> so cracks are attacked by hydraulic action -> opening up a joint in the chalk -> forming caves and arches over time -> they have formed green stacks pinnacle

Filey brigg + Filey bay:
Filey brigg (headland) shelters Filey bay -> as the high energy destructive waves refract off the headland + loose energy
This means the now lower energy waves will deposit sediment -> building up the beach

Also without the high energy winds -> sediment is able to accumulate

Erosion of the headland acts as a source of sediment for the beach

not interrelated- pinnacle (the stack) formed from the collapse of an arch + is not detached from the headland -> is not influenced + has little influence on any other landforms

Question 7

how and why do these systems change over time

Answer 7

from millennia-

Filey + Robin Hoods bays:
over time -> erosion of headlands due to wave refraction -> will mean more destructive waves will reach bays -> making them more vulnerable

to seconds-

Flamborough head:
over time -> erosion of the base will form a wave cut notch -> this will then collapse in on itself -> changing the cliffs position (in seconds)

Green stacks pinnacle:
over time -> erosion of the stack -> will cause it to collapse -> creating a stump (in seconds)

seasonal variations-

Filey + Robin Hoods bay:
In summer -> bays will accumulate sediment -> + lose it in winter -> due to higher energy winds -> changing the beaches profile