Coasts Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is a headland?
Hard rock that sticks out to sea (eg Flamborough Head).
Why does headland erosion happen?
The waves erode on both sides and attack the weaker rock first (where the cracks are).
What are the first two steps of headland erosion?
The crack erodes getting deeper and turning into a cave.
The cave over time becomes wider and breaks through to the other side of the headland, creating an arch.
What are the final steps of headland erosion?
The arch then collapses from heavy rain and the power of the waves.
It then turns into a stack (no support from rest of headland) will eventually fall out to leave a stump, a small bit of it left just about sea level.
What is longshore drift?
Transportation of sediment along a coast.
What happens during longshore drift?
Wind hits the waves at an angle
Waves hit the beach at an angle, washing up sediment
Sediment comes straight back down due to gravity
Over time sediment is moved sideways.
What are waves created by?
Wind.
What influences how big the waves are?
The longer the distance and time wind blows across water (fetch), the bigger the waves will be.
What is swash?
Wave breaking onto the beach.
What is backwash?
A wave going back down the beach.
