Coasts-The Coastal System And Processes

Question 1

What is a high energy coastline and give an example

Answer 1

High energy coastlines are those in which wave power is strong for a greater part of the year for example the Western coast of the British Isles

Question 2

What is a low energy coastline and give an example

Answer 2

Low energy coastlines are those in which wave power is weak for a greater part of the year for example in, sheltered bays

Question 3

What is the fetch of a wave

Answer 3

The horizontal distance over which wave generating winds blow

Question 4

What is swash

Answer 4

Swash is when water runs up the beach

Question 5

What is backwash

Answer 5

Backwash is where water is taken back to sea

Question 6

Define a tide

Answer 6

The alternate rising and falling of the sea, usually twice in each lunar day at a particular place, due to the attraction of the moon and sun

Question 7

What is hydraulic action

Answer 7

Hydraulic action is where a wave breaking against rocks forces air into cracks in the rock under pressure, which is released suddenly as the wave retreats.

Question 8

What is corrasion/abrasion

Answer 8

Corrasion/abrasion is where the material carried by waves (load) is used as ammunition to wear away rocks on a cliff or a wave cut platform as they are thrown or rubbed against them repeatedly by each wave.

Question 9

What is attrition

Answer 9

Attrition is the process by which loose rocks are broken down into smaller and rounded pebbles, which are used then in abrasion

Question 10

What is solution/corrosion

Answer 10

Acids contained in sea water will dissolve some types of rock such as chalk or limestone

Question 11

What is weathering

Answer 11

The disintegration and decomposition of rocks by the combined actions of the weather, plants and animals

Question 12

What is regolith

Answer 12

The collective name for all of the material produced by weathering, extending down from the ground surface to the unaltered bed rock

Question 13

What is frost shattering (or freeze thaw)

Answer 13

First shattering (or freeze thaw) is a form of physical weathering in rocks that contain cervices and joints, where temperatures fracture around 0’C

Question 14

What is mass movement

Answer 14

The downhill movement of rock and soil in response to gravity. This is due to a combination of marine and weathering process

Question 15

What does evaluate/assess mean?

Answer 15

If a questions says evaluate/assess then a well balanced argument is developed on an issue and the student is required to give their own judgement.

Question 16

How would answer a justify question

Answer 16

Justify is the hardest command word. A decision has to be made on the most appropriate form of action on an issue, but also ensuring the potential negative consequences for this course of action are mentioned and/or dealt with. Links are made between the points you make.

Question 17

How would you answer a discuss question

Answer 17

When answering a discuss question build up a well balanced argument on an issue which is evidenced

Question 18

How do you answer an analyse question

Answer 18

When answering an analyse question breakdown the topic into parts and give an in depth account

Question 19

How do you answer an annotate question

Answer 19

When answering and annotate question add to a diagram, image or graphic a number of words that describe and/or explain features, rather than just identify them (which is labelling)

Question 20

How do you answer a compare question

Answer 20

When answering a compare question describe the similarities and differences of at least two phenomena

Question 21

How do you answer a comment on question

Answer 21

When answering a comment on question make a statement that arises from a factual point made - add a view, or an opinion, or an interpretation. In data/stimulus response questions, examine the stimulus material provided and then make statements about the material and it’s content that are relevant, appropriate and geographical

Question 22

How do you answer a contrast question

Answer 22

When answering a congrats question point out the differences between at least two phenomena

Question 23

How do you answer a critically question and when does it occur

Answer 23

Critically often occurs before ‘Assess’ or ‘Evaluate’ inviting an examination of an issue from the point of view of a critic with a particular focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the points of view being expressed

Question 24

How do you answer a define… what is meant by… question

Answer 24

When answering a define… what is meant by… question state the precise meaning of an idea or concept

Question 25

How do you answer a describe question

Answer 25

When answering a describe question give an account in words of a phenomenon which may be entity, an event, a feature, a pattern, a distribution or a process. For example, if describing a landform say what it looks like, give some indication of size or scale, what it is made of, and where it is in relation to something else (field relationship)

Question 26

How do you answer a distinguish between question

Answer 26

When answering a distinguish between question give the meaning of (two or more) phenomena and make it clear how they are different from each other

Question 27

How do you answer an examine question

Answer 27

When answering an examine question consider carefully and provide a detailed account of the indicated topic

Question 28

How do you answer a explain... why..., suggest reasons for... question

Answer 28

When answering a explain... why..., suggest reasons for... question set out the causes of a phenomenon and/or the factors which influence its form/nature. This usually requires an understanding of processes

Question 29

How do you answer an interpret question

Answer 29

When answering an interpret question give meaning to geographical information and issues

Question 30

How do you answer an outline..., summarise... question

Answer 30

When answering an outline..., summarise... question provide a brief account of relevant information

Question 31

How do you answer a to what extent... question

Answer 31

When answering a to what extent... question form and express a view as to the merit or validity of a view or statement after examining the evidence available and/or different sides of an argument

Question 32

Name 4 inputs within a coastal system

Answer 32

4 inputs within a coastal system are: 1. Wave energy 2. Geological structure 3. Weathering 4. Human activity including climate change

Question 33

Name 4 processes/flows within a coastal system

Answer 33

4 processes/flows within a coastal system are: 1. Process of wave erosion 2. Mass movement 3. Transport 4. Hard/soft engineering

Question 34

Name 4 stores with a coastal system

Answer 34

4 stores within a coastal system are: 1. Landforms of erosion 2. Landforms of deposition 3. Coastal defence-holing the line or retreat

Question 35

Name an output within a coastal system

Answer 35

the transfer of sediment into the sea is an output within a coastal system

Question 36

What are free effects of the North Sea storm surge of 1953

Answer 36

3 effects of the North Sea storm surge of 1953 were: 1. 1,836 deaths 2. 47,300 buildings destroyed 3. 30,000 animals drowned

Question 37

What 2 major schemes were built in response to the North Sea storm surge of 1953

Answer 37

The 2 major schemes built in response to the North Sea storm surge of 1953 were: 1. Delta works 2. Thames flood barrier

Question 38

What are the 4 sources of coastal sediment

Answer 38

The 4 sources of coastal sediment are: 1. Rivers 3. Seabed 3. Erosion of coastline 4. Shell material

Question 39

Where do sediment movements occur and why

Answer 39

Sediment movements occur in distinct areas, within which inputs & outputs are in balance.

Question 40

How many sediment cells are in England & Wales

Answer 40

In England & Wales, there are 11 of these cells.

Question 41

How are sediment cells separated

Answer 41

Sediment cells are separated from each other by well-defined boundaries such as headlands and stretches of deep water.

Question 42

Can sediment cells vary in size

Answer 42

Sediment cells can vary in size

Question 43

What are larger sediment cells divided into and give an example

Answer 43

The larger sediment cells are divided into smaller sections called subcells. An example of this is the one that operated between Flamborough Head and the Humber Estuary

Question 44

What causes a wave to form

Answer 44

A wave is formed because of wind blowing over the surface of the sea

Question 45

Wave energy is controlled by what 3 factors

Answer 45

Wave energy is controlled but these 3 factors: 1. Force of the wind and its direction 2. The duration of wind 3. The fetch of the wave

Question 46

Why do waves grow taller as they approach the shore

Answer 46

Waves grow taller as they approach the shore because the water is very shallow, so the wave spills forward as a breaker

Question 47

What type of waves have the longest wavelength and why

Answer 47

Constructive waves have longer wavelengths than destructive as they are less frequent

Question 48

Which wave type has a lower height and why

Answer 48

Constructive waves have a lower height than destructive waves as they have a smaller fetch.

Question 49

Which wave types the most frequent and why

Answer 49

Constructive waves are less frequent than destructive waves as they have a longer wavelength.

Question 50

How frequent a constructive waves

Answer 50

There are 6-8 constructive waves per minute

Question 51

How many destructive waves are there per minute

Answer 51

There are 10-14 destructive waves per minute

Question 52

How often do tides happen in the UK

Answer 52

In the UK, the interval between each high tide is 12 hours and 25 minutes

Question 53

Explain how a tide happens

Answer 53

Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and to a lesser extent the sun, usually resulting in two high tides and two low tides each day

Question 54

When do spring tides occur and why and what do they cause

Answer 54

Spring tides occur when the sun, moon and earth are in a straight line, which happens twice a lunar month when the gravitational pull is strongest. It causes the high tide to be at its highest point and the low tide to be at its lowest

Question 55

How often do neap tides occur and why and what do they do

Answer 55

Neap tides happen during the alternate week in the lunar month when the earth, moon and sun form a right angle, lessening the overall gravitational pull and giving a lower tidal range

Question 56

Give 2 reasons why tides are an important influence at a coast

Answer 56

1. If there is a small tidal range the power of the waves (and hence erosion) is concentrated on a relatively narrow element of coastline, such as a cliff base. 2. If there is a large tidal range, large parts of beach can become exposed at low tide. When this sand dries onshore winds can blow the sand to create sand dunes inland.

Question 57

What is cavitation and when does it occur and how and what does it do

Answer 57

Cavitation occurs when air bubbles trapped in the fast moving water collapse, causing shock waves to break against the rocks under the water. Repeated shocks of this nature are thought to weaken the rock

Question 58

If you looked down on a coastline from above and saw the geology of the area the what would you see and what does that tell you

Answer 58

If you looked down on a coastline from above and saw the geology of the area, you’d be able to see that the rock type changes as you approach the coastline and that the different rock are arranged in bands. The angle these bands make with the coastline makes it either a concordant or discordant coastline

Question 59

What is a concordant coast and give an example

Answer 59

Concordant coasts have alternating layers of hard and soft rock that run parallel to the coast. The hard rock acts as a protective barrier to the softer behind it preventing erosion. If the hard rock is breached though the soft rock is exposed and a cove can form (e.g. Lulworth Cove)

Question 60

What is a discordant coastline and give an example

Answer 60

On a discordant coastline, alternating layers of hard and soft rock are perpendicular to the coast. Because the soft rock is exposed, it’s eroded faster than the hard rock. This differential creates headlands and bays (e.g. Flamborough Head) along discordant coast lines

Question 61

Explain the role of coastal shape on the rate of erosion, use an example

Answer 61

Headlands of a coastline are exposed to the full force of destructive waves. Bays are more sheltered from the wave energy because of wave refraction, so erosion is slower, an example of a place where this happens is Flamborough Head

Question 62

Explain salt weathering

Answer 62

Salt weathering: 1. Rock become saturated with water containing salt (usually in coastal environment) 2. Some of the salt crystallises and begins to exert pressure on the rock because the salt crystals are larger than the spaces in which they are formed 3. Like frost shattering the process repeats over time, causing the disintegration of the rock

Question 63

What is mass movement and how does it occur

Answer 63

Mass movement is the downhill movement of rock and soil in response to gravity. This is due to a combination of marine and weathering processes

Question 64

What are the 5 types of mass movement

Answer 64

``` The 4 types of mass movement are: Landslide Mudflow Rockfall Slumping/rotational slip Soil creep ```

Question 65

What are the 5 ways the sea transports derided material

Answer 65

The 5 ways the sea transports eroded material are: Longshore Drift Traction Solution Suspension Solution

Question 66

Where does the sea deposit material give 3 examples

Answer 66

The sea deposits material when it meets at breakwaters like a river, headland or groyne

Question 67

How does the sea deposit material at a headland or groyne

Answer 67

The sea deposits material when it meets a headland or groyne, as the sea cannot carry it any further

Question 68

How does the sea deposit material at a river

Answer 68

The sea deposits material when it meets a river, as the rivers current stops the sea from carrying the material further. As well when the sea meets a river, saltwater meets freshwater which results in a chemical reaction resulting in the sediment to be deposited