Topic 9 - Coastal Fieldwork

Question 1

what is longshore drift

Answer 1

the movement of sediments along a coast by waves that approach at an angle to the shore but then the swash recedes directly away from it

Question 2

what is prevailing wind

Answer 2

winds that blow from a single direction over a specific area of the Earth

Question 3

what is a groyne

Answer 3

• hard engineering
• reduce the rate of transport of sediment by longshore drift
• trap sediment to build up the beach and extend its width

Question 4

where were we studying longshore drift

Answer 4

• Blyth beach
• 4km long
• sea wall

Question 5

how can you present your data and information

Answer 5

• table
• photographs
• measuring (Groyne depth, beach width, beach profile, groyne profile, waves and longshore drift)

Question 6

how do we measure the gradient of the beach from the dunes/sea wall to the water line

Answer 6

• Lay the tape measure out
• Use the clinometer
• Divide the width of the beach by 10
• Take measurements at 10 equally spaced intervals
• Start at the sea
• Record the height difference in degrees

Question 7

how do we measure the gradient of the beach from the dunes/sea wall to the water line

Answer 7

• Lay the tape measure out
• Use the clinometer
• Take measurements at 5m intervals
• Record the height difference in degrees
• Measure 30m north and 30m south of the groyne
• Measure at the top of the beach and at the midpoint

Question 8

how could you present groyne depth

Answer 8

bar chart

Question 9

how could you present beach width

Answer 9

bar chart

Question 10

conclusion for fieldwork

Answer 10

• the north side of the beach has a smaller height from the top of the groyne to the sand
• the south has a smaller width of beach