Coasts KQ1- How can coastal landscapes be viewed as systems? Flashcards
(62 cards)
What kind of system is the coastal system?
an open system
Why is the coastal system considered to be an open system?
Energy and matter can be transferred both in and out
What are the 8 factors that interact to form a coastal landscape?
- soils
- air and climate
- landforms
- geology
- wind
- waves
- tides and currents
- humans
Define sediment cell
A stretch of coastline and its associated nearshore area within which the movement of course sediment, sand, and shingle is largely self-contained
What type of systems are sediment cells?
Closed systems however in reality it is likely they are completely closed
How many sediment cells are there around England and Wales?
11
What determines sediment cells?
Topography and shape of coastline (e.g lands end acts as a large natural barrier)
Name 3 inputs of energy into the coastal system
- Winds
- waves
- solar sources
Name 4 sources of sediment inputted into the coastal system
- oceans
- rivers
- cliffs
- coastal areas further along the coast
Give two outputs of energy
- heat
- noise
How is material outputted in the coastal system?
-it is moved to other parts of the coast and offshore
Give 6 examples of (geomorphic) processes
- erosion
- transportation
- deposition
- sedimentation
- weathering
- mass movement
Give 5 examples of stores
- saltmarshes
- mudflats
- sand banks
- beaches of varying material type
- spits
Which 5 physical factors influence the coastal landscape?
- winds
- waves
- tides
- geology
- ocean current circulation
Define erosion
the wearing away of material by the action of ice, wind, and water
Define weathering
The disintegration of rocks by the action of the weather, plants, animals, and chemicals in-situ
Define landform
A physical feature on the Earth’s surface
A range of sub-aerial and marine processes are responsible for coastal landforms. What factors determine the effectiveness of these processes?
- Geology
- Aspect
- Wind
- Sea level change
- Climate
- Time
How are winds important for landforms?
They:
- form waves
- erode landforms
- transport and deposit materials
What are dominant winds?
-perpendicular to the coast, usually storm winds and the strongest winds
What are prevailing winds?
-the most common direction
3 factors that affect wave strength
- strength of wind
- length of time it blows for
- distance which the wave has travelled
Define fetch
The distance the wind blows across the sea
Define swell
Where the waves first form initially in the ocean
