Formation Of Coastal Landscapes

Question 1

Formation of spits

Answer 1

Spits form at the sharp bends of a coast line. Long shore drift transports shingle and sand past the bend and deposits it into the sea. Strong winds and waves can curve the end of the spit forming a recurved end. The space behind the recurved end is sheltered and can become a salt marsh

Question 2

Formation of Bars

Answer 2

When spit joins two headlands.
Bay between headland gets cut off and become a lagoon behind the bar.

Question 3

Formation of off-shore bars

Answer 3

When there is a gentle slope in the sea-friction causes the waves to lose energy and deposit sediment off shore. This creates a bar which is not connected to the coast

Question 4

Formation of sand dunes

Answer 4

Sand deposited by longshore drift is moved up to the upper part of the beach by wind. Obstacles like drift wood slow the wind down, then the wind deposits the sand. This forms small embryo dunes. Embryo dunes get colonised with vegetation. Roots of vegetation stabilise the sand and encourage more sand to accumulate. This forms foredunes and later mature dunes. New embryo dunes form in front of stable dunes. Dune slacks form in-between dunes