Introduction and key words

Question 1

erosion is

Answer 1

the weathering away of the Earth’s surface by the mechanical action of processes of glaciers, wind, rivers, marine waves and wind

Question 2

the fetch is

Answer 2

the distance of open water over which a wind blows uninterrupted by major land obstacles. the length of fetch helps to determine the magnitude (size) and energy of the waves reaching the coast

Question 3

mass movement is

Answer 3

the movement of material downhill under the influence of gravity, but mainly also assisted by rainfall

Question 4

weathering is

Answer 4

the breakdown and/or decay of rock at or near the Earth’s surface creating regolith (eg dust) that remains in situ (in position) until it is moved by later erosional processes. weathering can be mechanical/physical , biological/organic or chemical

Question 5

coastal processes can be thought of as

Answer 5

natural systems

Question 6

one type of process which is crucial to coastal landscapes are

Answer 6

geomorphological processes

Question 7

geomorphological processes are driven by

Answer 7

the input of energy, constantly changing the elements of these systems as they tend towards dynamic equilibrium

Question 8

coastal systems are constantly in search of reaching

Answer 8

dynamic equilibrium