Paper 3 essay plans Flashcards
(17 cards)
Factors influencing the generation and characteristics of waves
Wind speed and direction
Length of fetch
Shoreline morphology and depth of water
Nature of beach profile and materials
Orientation of coastline
Wave refraction
Tides and currents
Displacement caused by submarine earthquakes and landslides
Problems of sustainably managing coastlines
Dynamic nature of coastal environment
Sea level rise
Impacts of climate change
Impact of management on other parts of the system
Balancing social, economic and environmental needs
Short term and long term management
Land use conflicts
Weak or ineffective governance
Influences on coastal saltmarshes
Low energy environments such as in estuaries and behind spits
Deposition of fine grained material
Flocculation of clay in saltwater
The intertidal zone
Initial growth of algae
Vegetation succession as the marsh develops
Factors influencing mangroves
Can tolerate roots being above water for some of the day
Trees that trap sediment
Greater rigidity of trees provides protection from storm surges
High temperatures
Do not necessarily need sheltered coasts
Influences on the formation of coastal landforms
Rock type and structure
Sub aerial weathering
Coastal morphology
River estuaries
Sea level change
Sediment supply
Threats to coral reefs
Warming sea temperatures
Acidification leading to bleaching
Rising sea level (low threat as coral can grow faster than rise)
Pollution from land, sediment, industry and oil
Physical damage
Fishing
Sedimentation
Tourism activities and coastal development
Invasive species
Characteristics and formation of fringing reefs
Close to the land
Outer reef capped with algae
Broad reef flat and sand floored boat channel nearest the short
Grow seaward from the land and many develop into barrier reefs if sea level rises
Characteristics and formation of barrier reefs
Further from shore
Separated by a wide, deep lagoon
Broader in size and continuous
Rely on sea level rise or land subsidence to grow outwards over time, limited by the depth of water further offshore
Characteristics and formation of atolls
Confined to the flanks of submerged volcanic islands
Rise from volcanic foundations and support small islands of wave-borne debris
If the island subsides or sea level rises to cover it an atoll develops, new coral can grow around the edges while above the island quiet water exists as a lagoon and sedimentation occurs
Factors influencing the formation and development of large scale atmospheric disturbances
Coriolis force
Sea temperature over 27C to a depth of 50-60m
Unstable atmospheric conditions
Wind shear can break up or weaken the developing storm
Movement over the ocean
Prevailing winds
Making landfall
Moving poleward over colder water
Ways of managing mass movement hazards
Predication: past data linked to weather conditions
Monitoring: GPS, tiltmeters and groundwater monitoring and observation
Hazard mapping: knowledge of processes, past events and landscpe
Preparedness: rescue teams and shelters
Prevention: slope stabilisation
Hazards from large and small scale atmospheric disturbances
Large:
Storm surges
Coastal flooding
Intense rainfall
Mass movements
High winds
Small:
Intense precipitation
High winds
Pressure imbalances
Problems of sustainable management of a hazardous environment
Balancing social, economic and environmental needs
Protecting lives, property and wellbeing
Protect areas which contribute most to the economy
Perception of risk
Lack of education
Limited economic development
Priority by frequency and magnitude
Ineffective governance
Population size, structure and density
Elements in the management of mass movements
Prediction: nature of slope, material composition and history
Hazard mapping
Preparedness
Monitoring: warning and evacuation by GPS and observation
Hard engineering which is informed by hazard mapping
Hazards from large scale atmospheric disturbances
Storm surges
Coastal flooding
Intense rainfall
River flooding
Mass movement
High winds
Prediction and monitoring of large scale atmospheric disturbances
Form in specific environments over oceans
Tend to follow similar paths and can be monitored before they hit land but there is uncertainty in where landfall will be
Satellites
Ships
Land sensors
Weather balloons
Prediction and monitoring of small scale atmospheric disturbances
Less predictable since conditions for formation are unknown, develop quickly over land, have uncertain paths and intensity is variable. There are certain features that make tornado formation more likely such as rear flank downdraft and the tornadic vortex signature
