Paper 1: Coasts

Question 1

Relief

Answer 1

Physical features of landscapes (steepness, height above sea level)

Question 2

Fetch

Answer 2

The distance over which wind has blown

Question 3

Constructive waves

Answer 3

Build a beach

Strong swash

Wave crests far apart

Question 4

Destructive Waves

Answer 4

Destroy a beach

Strong backwash

Wave crest close together

Question 5

Mechanical weathering

Answer 5

The breaking of rocks at the base of the cliff

Question 6

Chemical weathering

Answer 6

Acidic rainwater dissolving rock

Question 7

Biological weathering

Answer 7

Plant roots grow into rocks, animals burrow into rocks

Question 8

Rockfall

Answer 8

Fragments of rock break away from cliff face

Question 9

Landslide

Answer 9

Blocks of rocks slide downhill

Question 10

Mud flow

Answer 10

Saturated soil and weak rock flows down a slope

Question 11

Rotational slip

Answer 11

Saturated soil and weak rock flow along a curved surface

Question 12

Hydraulic action

Answer 12

Power of waves as they smash into rocks

Question 13

Abrasion

Answer 13

Pebbles grinding over a rocky platform, making it smooth

Question 14

Attrition

Answer 14

Rock fragments knocking against one and other, therefore making it smaller and rounded

Question 15

Solution (erosion)

Answer 15

The dissolving of soluble chemicals in rocks

Question 16

Suspension

Answer 16

Particles suspended in water

Question 17

Traction

Answer 17

Large pebbles rolled along the seabed

Question 18

Saltation

Answer 18

‘Bouncing’ of particles too heavy to be suspended

Question 19

Solution (transportation)

Answer 19

Dissolved chemicals

Question 20

Long shore drift (LSD)

Answer 20

Longshore drift is the movement of sediment along the coastline

It occurs when waves approach the shore at an angle due to the prevailing wind

The swash carries material up the beach at 45 degrees

Then, the backwash pulls the material straight back down the beach due to gravity

This zigzag movement transports material along the coast

Question 21

Headlands and bays

Answer 21

Headlands and bays form along coastlines with alternating bands of hard and soft rock

Soft rock (e.g. clay or sandstone) is eroded more quickly by processes like hydraulic action and abrasion, forming a bay

Hard rock (e.g. chalk or granite) is more resistant and erodes slowly, sticking out into the sea to form a headland

Bays become sheltered areas, where deposition can occur

Headlands are more exposed to wave energy, leading to further erosion

Question 22

Wave-cut platform & notch

Answer 22

Waves constantly hit the base of a cliff, eroding it through hydraulic action and abrasion

This creates a wave-cut notch at the base of the cliff

As the notch gets deeper, the rock above becomes unstable and eventually collapses

This process repeats, causing the cliff to retreat inland

The rock left at the base of the cliff forms a wave-cut platform, which is smooth and slopes gently towards the sea

Question 23

Crack into stump

Answer 23

Lines of weakness appear and turns into cracks

The crack grows through hydraulic action and abrasion into a cave

The cave becomes an arch and undergoes undercutting

The arch’s roof collapses due to erosion and gravity creating a stack

The stack erodes and collapses creating a stump

Question 24

Swanage

Answer 24

Located in a sheltered bay, broad sandy beach
Headlands and bays
159km of coast

Landform names and locations -

Indented coastlines (dis-concordant coastlines)
Poole Harbour
Two spits at the mouth of the harbour
Old Harry (stack)

Question 25

Beach

Answer 25

Landform of deposition created with sand, shingle and slit

Question 26

Spit

Answer 26

Longshore drift transports sediment along the coastline When the coastline changes direction (due to prevailing winds) the deposited sediment builds up, forming a narrow strip of land Over time, the spit extends further into the water If wind and wave directions change, the tip of the spit may curve, forming a hooked end A salt marsh may develop behind the spit in the sheltered area

Question 27

Bar

Answer 27

A bar forms when longshore drift transports sediment along the coastline If there is a bay or river mouth, the sediment can build up across it When the spit extends all the way across, it connects two headlands and cuts off the bay behind it This forms a bar, and the water trapped behind can create a lagoon

Question 28

Sand dunes

Answer 28

Small hills behind the beach, to form there must be a good supply of dry sand, wide and vegetation.

Question 29

Sea walls - disadvantages

Answer 29

Expensive Damages landscape

Question 30

Sea walls - advantages

Answer 30

Prevents flooding Creates a promenade

Question 31

Groynes - advantages

Answer 31

Cheap Builds up beach Counteracts LSD

Question 32

Groynes - disadvantages

Answer 32

Starve other places of sand

Question 33

Rock armour - advantages

Answer 33

Cheap Easy to maintain Used for fishing

Question 34

Rock armour - disadvantages

Answer 34

Expensive to transport materials Obtrusive

Question 35

Gabions - advantages

Answer 35

Cheap to produce Merge with landscape Improve drainage of cliffs

Question 36

Gabions - disadvantages

Answer 36

Looks unattractive Only lasts 5 - 10 years

Question 37

Beach nourishment - disadvantages

Answer 37

Needs maintenance unless structures are built

Question 38

Beach nourishment - advantages

Answer 38

Cheap Blends in with the beach Increases tourism

Question 39

Dune regeneration - advantages

Answer 39

Coastal environment is maintained Cheap

Question 40

Dune regeneration - disadvantages

Answer 40

Time consuming to plant marram grass Can be damaged by storms

Question 41

Dune fencing - advantages

Answer 41

Can control access to other ecosystems

Question 42

Dune fencing - disadvantages

Answer 42

Unsightly Maintenance needed after storms

Question 43

Lyme Regis

Answer 43

Phase 1 - new sea walls and promenades Phase 2 - new sea walls, promenades and a creation of a wide beach Phase 3 - not undertaken (costs outweighed the benefits) Phase 4 - new 390m sea wall in front of the existing sea wall