Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

GCSE Geography > Coastal Landscapes > Flashcards

Coastal Landscapes Flashcards

(63 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is the definition of a coast?

A

The meeting point between the land and sea.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the two main categories of coastal processes?

A
  • Marine processes (Offshore)
  • Terrestrial processes (Onshore)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Name the five processes that coastal processes are divided into.

A
  • Wave action
  • Erosion
  • Transportation
  • Weathering
  • Mass movement
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How do softer rocks like sands and clays affect coastal landscapes?

A

They are easily eroded by destructive waves to form low, flat landscapes such as bays and beaches.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What type of coastline is characterized by the same rock type running parallel to the sea?

A

Concordant coastlines.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What features are formed by discordant coastlines?

A

Headlands and bays.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What type of rock typically forms high and steep cliffs?

A

Hard rock.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the four types of erosion caused by destructive waves?

A
  • Hydraulic Action
  • Attrition
  • Corrosion
  • Abrasion
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the effect of attrition on rocks during coastal erosion?

A

It smooths and rounds rocks as they collide and travel along the coast.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What defines a headland?

A
  • Cliffs along its sides
  • Projects out to sea
  • Usually longer than it is wide
  • Composed of resistant rock
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is a wave-cut platform?

A

A wide gently sloped surface found at the foot of a cliff.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How do caves, arches, and stacks form?

A

Through wave action and sub-aerial weathering affecting a headland.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is wave refraction?

A

The change in wave angle as waves approach the shore, concentrating erosive action on headlands.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What happens to an arch over time due to erosion?

A

The roof of the arch collapses, leaving behind a stack.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the UK’s climate classified as?

A

Temperate maritime climate.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the impact of the North Atlantic Drift on the UK’s climate?

A

It brings warm waters from the Caribbean, keeping the west coast of the UK warmer.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

List the five types of air masses that affect the UK’s weather.

A
  • Polar Maritime
  • Arctic Maritime
  • Polar Continental
  • Tropical Continental
  • Tropical Maritime
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What effect does strong winter wind have on coastal erosion?

A

It increases destructive wave power.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Define weathering.

A

The break-down of rock in-situ without the movement of the material.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is mechanical weathering?

A

The physical breakdown of rock.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What process is freeze-thaw weathering?

A

Water entering cracks freezes, expands, and then thaws, widening the cracks over time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is chemical weathering?

A

The breakdown of rocks through chemical processes, often involving slightly acidic rainwater.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What type of mass movement involves the rapid downhill movement of material?

A

Fall.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is soil creep?

A

The slow movement of soil, less than 1cm per year, often due to freeze-thaw cycles.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
How does vegetation affect mass movement?
It can be flattened and carried away with soil during movements like flows.
26
What causes slumping in mass movement?
Saturation of weaker rock types like clay, making them heavy and unstable.
27
What is the main characteristic of mass movement?
Movement of material en masse down a slope.
28
What are the characteristics of a fall in mass movement?
Slopes are steep and movement is rapid.
29
What can cause a fall in mass movement?
* Extreme weathering * Rainfall * Earthquakes * Hot weather
30
What is a slump in mass movement?
Movement of saturated and heavy weaker rock types, usually clay, down a slope in one piece.
31
What is the result of a slump?
Leaves behind a curved indented surface.
32
What is longshore drift?
The main process of deposition and transportation along the coast.
33
How does longshore drift transport material?
Waves approach the beach at an angle, swash carries material up the beach at the same angle, and backwash carries it down at right angles.
34
What forms beaches?
Sediment deposited in bays.
35
What is a spit?
An extended stretch of sand or shingle that extends out to sea from the shore.
36
What happens to sediment during spit formation?
Sediment is transported by longshore drift and deposited in sheltered areas.
37
What is a bar in coastal geography?
A sandbar formed when a spit grows across a bay and joins two headlands.
38
What are the human activities that affect coastal landscapes?
* Direct impacts * Indirect impacts * Positive or negative effects
39
What is the Holderness Coast known for?
It is the fastest eroding coastline in Europe at 2 m per year.
40
What type of rock is primarily found on the Holderness Coast?
Soft boulder clay.
41
What coastal management methods are used at Hornsea?
* Wooden groynes * Concrete sea wall * Stone and steel gabions * Concrete revetment
42
What is the impact of using groynes at Mappleton?
Prevents sediment from moving south, increasing erosion at Great Cowden.
43
What factors contribute to coastal flooding?
* Storm surges * Storm tides * Tsunamis * King tides * Sea level rise * High river discharge
44
What is hard engineering in coastal management?
Building structures like sea defenses from concrete, wood, or rock.
45
What is soft engineering in coastal management?
Working with natural processes, usually cheaper and more sustainable.
46
What is Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)?
A method that uses a combination of coastal protection strategies reflecting all stakeholders' needs.
47
What are the four approaches available for coastal management?
* Hold the line * Advance the line * Managed realignment * Do nothing
48
What is the 'do nothing' approach in coastal management?
Allowing the coast to erode and retreat without investment in protection.
49
What are some soft engineering methods?
* Beach nourishment * Dune regeneration * Buffer zones
50
What is the main goal of flood defenses?
To protect the environment and people from erosion and flooding.
51
How do early warning systems help in coastal flooding?
They allow communities to prepare (evacuate or take shelter) before flooding occurs.
52
What can be the consequences of coastal erosion?
* Loss of habitat * Damage to properties * Economic costs
53
What are soft engineering strategies?
Methods that work with nature to protect coastlines, such as beach nourishment and dune regeneration ## Footnote Soft engineering aims to enhance natural processes rather than interfere with them.
54
What is beach nourishment?
The replacement of beach or cliff material lost to erosion or longshore drift ## Footnote Beach nourishment enhances natural defenses against coastal flooding.
55
List three advantages of beach nourishment.
* Natural defense against erosion * Improves coastal attractiveness * Relatively cheap and easy to maintain
56
What is a significant disadvantage of beach nourishment?
Requires constant maintenance to replace washed-away material ## Footnote Maintenance can be particularly needed after winter storms.
57
What does beach reprofiling involve?
The artificial reshaping of a beach using existing beach material ## Footnote It often occurs after winter storms to restore the beach.
58
What are the potential negative impacts of beach reprofiling?
Disruption to beach habitats ## Footnote Similar costs and benefits to beach nourishment apply.
59
Define dune regeneration.
The artificial creation or restoration of sand dunes using strategies like marram grass planting ## Footnote Dunes act as a barrier between the sea and land.
60
What are two benefits of dune regeneration?
* Absorbs wave energy * Increases biodiversity by providing habitats
61
What is a disadvantage of dune regeneration?
Can be easily damaged by storms ## Footnote Maintenance can be time-consuming and may deter tourists.
62
True or False: Soft engineering strategies always interfere with natural processes.
False ## Footnote Soft engineering aims to work with nature.
63
What is a key characteristic of soft engineering strategies?
They blend in with the environment and improve it ## Footnote Examples include adding sand to beaches.

GCSE Geography (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions