Test 3 Flashcards
What are waves
The distance of open sea which wind blows is called fetch. When a wave breaks the water moves up the shore is called swash. The water that returns back to the sea is known as backwash
What is compression
When waves crash against a cliff, air gets trapped in the cracks and joints on the cliff face and becomes compressed. When the waves : retreat, the pressure is suddenly released. This process of compression and release happens repeatedly until the rock eventually shatters.
What is a bay and headland
A bay is a curved area where waves have eroded the coastline.eg.Dublin bay. A headland is an area of hard rock jutting into the sea.eg. Brayhead
Definition of a sea cliff
A sea cliff is a vertical or steep slope on the coastline
What is an example of a sea cliffs
Cliffs of Moher in Co. Clare
What process are involved to make a sea cliff
Erosion (hydraulic action,abrasion,solution and compression)
Give me an explanation of a sea cliffs
Waves erode a notch. On the coastline the high water mark and the low water mark. The notch gets larger due to hydraulic action. Then undercutting occurs and overtime an overhang is created and eventually collapse. Wave cut platform is then created at the base of the cliff. Compression and abrasion constantly erode the cliff so it retreats into the coastline
What is a sea cave
A sea cave is a tunnel at the base of the cliff.eg. Ballybunion Co. Kerry
Describe sea arches
A sea arch is an arch shaped tunnel that stretches through a headland.eg. The bridges of Ross at Loop Head Co. Clare
What are sea stacks and stumps
A sea stack is formed when a sea arch collapses. Overtime the sea stack is eroded and it collapses forming a sea stump
Define the term blowholes
A blowhole is a passage that links the surface of the cliff top with the roof of a sea cave.eg. McSwyne’s Gun in Co. Donegal
What is longshore drift
The material transported by waves, such as sand, shingle, mud and eroded material, is called the load. The movement of the load along the coastline is called longshore drift.
What does longshore drift involve
- Waves approach and move up the shore at an angle (matching the direction of the prevailing wind). When a wave breaks, the swash moves the load up the shore at an angle and deposits some material there, and so the material is moved along the shore.
- The backwash carries material back down the shore. This movement follows the slope of the beach, and is usually in a straight line.
The process is repeated over and over, resulting in the gradual movement of material along the shore in a zigzag fashion.
Give me a description on beaches
Beaches are a build up of sand and shingle deposited by construction waves
Give an example and tell me the process of beaches
Lahinch Co. Clare and deposition
