Coastal Landforms

Question 1

Where do headlands and bays form?

Answer 1

Where erosion resistance is different

Question 2

How do headlands and bays form?

Answer 2

1. Some rocks are more resistant to erosion than others
2. Headlands have alternating bands of less resistant and resistant rocks
3. Less resistant is eroded quickly and forms a bay with a gentle slope
4. The resistant rock is eroded slower and is left jutting out forming a headland

Question 3

How does a headland turn into a bay?

Answer 3

1. Headlands are resistant rocks with cracks
2. Cracks are widened by hydraulic action and abrasion
3. Continued erosion causes a cave to form

Question 4

How does a cave turn into a arch then stack?

Answer 4

1. Continued erosion deepens the cave until it breaks through the headland
2. Forms an arch
3. Erosion continues to wear away the rock supporting the arch
4. It collapses eventually, forming a stack

Question 5

How are beaches formed?

Answer 5

1. They are formed by constructive waves depositing sand and shingle

Question 6

What are the characteristics of sand beaches?

Answer 6

1. Flat and wide
2. Sand particles are weak
3. Backwash can move them along the beach
4. This creates a long, gentle slope

Question 7

What are the characteristics of shingle beaches?

Answer 7

1. Steep and narrow
2. Weak backwash cannot move them down the beach
3. They build up and form a steep slope.

Question 8

What is longshore drift?

Answer 8

1. Waves follow the direction of the prevailing wind
2. They hit the coast at an oblique angle
3. Swash carries material up the beach in the same direction as the waves
4. Backwash carries the material down the beach at right angles
5. Overtime it zigzags along the coast.

Question 9

How are spits formed?

Answer 9

1. They are formed by longshore drift
2. LSD transports sand and shingle past the bend and puts it in the sea
3. Strong winds and waves can curve the end of the spit.