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GCSE Geography Revision > Unit 2 - Topic 4 - Whole - UK Landscape + Coasts + Rivers > Flashcards

Unit 2 - Topic 4 - Whole - UK Landscape + Coasts + Rivers Flashcards

(123 cards)

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1
Q

UK landscape
How has past tectonic activity affected UK physical landscape - give 3 main ways

A

Igneous rock clusters + named areas (highlands Scotland + Lake District NW England)
520 million years ago closer to plate boundaries -> cone shaped active volcanoes + names area (Scotland + Lake District)
Plate collisions (at these boundaries 520 million years ago) -> mountain ranges + named areas (as above)

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2
Q

UK landscape
How has past glaciation influenced the physical landscape of the UK? (Give at least 2 examples)

A

Ice sheet covering area NW of Tees Exe (+ named areas)
Eroded landscape creating U shaped valleys / scree slopes /glacial till deposition / corries / hanging valley / arête / ribbon lake / erratic / pyramidal peak

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3
Q

UK landscape
How have physical processes influenced the landscape of the UK?

A

Weathering + mass movement + erosion ->break down rocks

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4
Q

UK landscape
What is the difference between weathering and erosion?

A

Erosion involves weathering and transportation of sediment so can only take place in river or at coast

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5
Q

UK landscape
What is the difference between upland and lowland?

A

Up - high above sea level
Low - flat land close to sea level

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6
Q

UK landscape
How does rock type influence relief?

A

Resistant rock (igneous/metamorphic) = high relief (high land height)

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7
Q

UK landscape
What is the divisor between upland and lowland areas?

A

Tees Exe line

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8
Q

UK physical landscape
How have glacial processes affected the upland landscape of the Lake District?

A

U shaped valleys, ribbon lakes

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9
Q

UK physical landscape
How have slope processes affected the Lake District? (2 things)

A

Rock falls,
and landslides are common as it is the wettest region in the UK

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10
Q

UK physical landscape
How has the last ice age affected the lowland landscape of the Weald?

A

water froze in porous chalk during ice age,
Ice then melted in post glacial period
rivers flowed and create river valleys

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11
Q

UK physical landscape
Why are rivers common in vales in the Weald?

A

They are made of impermeable clay

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12
Q

UK physical landscape
How has weathering affected the Weald? Give 2 examples

A

Chemical weathering as chalk is a main rock
Biological weathering (as lots of room for nature to grow)

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13
Q

UK physical landscape
Give 3 ways human activities have affected human landscapes?

A

Agriculture + forestry + settlements

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14
Q

UK physical landscape
How has agriculture created distinctive landscapes in the UK?

A

70% of UK land is farmland
Deforestation to make space for farmland
Walls and hedgerows are built to create field boundaries

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15
Q

UK physical landscape
What are upland and lowland used for in agriculture?

A

Upland areas - sheep farming
Lowland areas - arable land and cattle farming

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16
Q

UK physical landscape
How has forestry influenced the UK landscape?

A

Areas are deforested for timber - reduces natural deciduous woodland
used for recreation, are conservation area
Coniferous (evergreen) forests have been replanted for timber in straight lines (unnatural) - some deciduous woodland is being replanted to return to natural state

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17
Q

UK physical landscape
How does the establishment of settlements create distinctive landscapes in the UK? (3)

A

As urban areas grow - land is deforested to create roads/buildings
This leads to more impermeable rock
Which leads to more surface runoff and flooding

Humans modify rivers (channel straightening/embankments) to prevent flooding

Ports are built in major UK cities (eg London and Liverpool)

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18
Q

UK physical landscape - coasts
Name 4 erosional processes

A

Hydraulic action + attrition + abrasion + solution

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19
Q

UK physical landscape - coasts
Name 4 coastal transportation processes

A

Solution + suspension + saltation + traction

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20
Q

UK physical landscape - coasts
What is longshore drift?

A

The transportation/movement of sediment along a coastline

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21
Q

UK physical landscape - coasts
How does Longshore drift take place?

A
  1. Prevailing wind hits beach at 45 degrees
  2. Sediment moved up beach by swash
  3. Backwash brings back sediment at 90 degrees due to gravity/slope
  4. Process repeats and sediment moves along coastline in zig zag
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22
Q

UK physical landscape - coasts
What is an example of a sub aerial coastal process? (General term)

A

Weathering

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23
Q

UK physical landscape - coasts
What is weathering?

A

The breakdown of rocks on land and in situ (where it is)

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24
Q

UK physical landscape - coasts
Where does weathering take place on a cliff?

A

On the top

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25
UK physical landscape - coasts What is an example of mechanical weathering on the coast?
Freeze thaw weathering
26
UK physical landscape - coasts How does freeze thaw weathering work?
Water collects in rock pores At night this freezes and expands, breaking rock apart and making cracks larger Water seeps deeper into rock and this repeats Scree can break off and fall to the foot of the cliff
27
UK physical landscape - coasts What is salt weathering?
Water evaporates + leaves salt Salt crystals expand Pressures rock and flakes break off
28
UK physical landscape - coasts What is chemical weathering at the coast called?
Carbonation
29
UK physical landscape - coasts How does carbonation work?
Rainwater is acidic (as contains CO2) Dissolves alkaline rocks (limestone) Calcium carbonate + acidic rainwater ->calcium bicarbonate Running water breaks this off
30
UK physical landscape Where is carbonation more common?
Common in warm and wet climates
31
UK physical landscape How does biological weathering happen?
Plants (roots widen cracks) and animals (burrowing animals break rock)
32
UK physical landscape What are 3 types of coastal mass movement?
Slumping + rockfalls + landslides
33
UK physical landscape How does slumping work?
Rain infiltrates into cracks of sand/clay leading it to be saturated Cliff gets heavy + unstable Collapses in CURVED way Scree left or washed away
34
UK physical landscape How do rockfalls work?
Freeze thaw happens Rocks break off and cause scree slope
35
UK physical landscape What type of rocks/cuffs are more prone to rockfalls?
Lots of cracks/joints Hard rock Vertical and steep cliffs
36
UK physical landscape What is formed after a rockfall?
Scree slope
37
UK physical landscape How do landslides work and where do they occur?
Steep slopes with soil After heavy rain, soil mixes with water and flows downhill
38
UK physical landscape What 3 things cause waves? (And what affects their strength)
Wind speed Wind duration Fetch
39
UK physical landscape What is fetch
Distance wind has blown over seas for
40
UK physical landscape In what area are constructive waves found in particular?
Bays
41
UK physical landscape What do constructive waves do to beaches?
Build up beaches
42
UK physical landscape When do constructive waves tend to be found?
Summer
43
UK physical landscape What kind of beaches do constructive waves create in terms of sediment? Why?
Sandy beaches - they only have the strength to carry smaller sediment
44
UK physical landscape Why are constructive waves found in bays?
Bays shelter from the wind and so waves only have limited energy
45
UK physical landscape What are the characteristics of constructive waves (5 things)?
Strong swash Weak backwash Short wavelength Low wave height Less frequent
46
UK physical landscape What do destructive waves do to beaches?
Destroys beaches
47
UK physical landscape When do destructive waves happen mostly?
Winter
48
UK physical landscape What kind of sediment is found on beaches with destructive waves?
Pebbles
49
UK physical landscape What are the 5 characteristics of destructive waves?
Weak swash + strong backwash + long wavelength + high wave height + more frequent
50
UK physical landscape How do headlands and bays form? On what coastline?
Discordant coastline Hydraulic action + abrasion erode soft rock faster Had rock doesn’t retreat as quickly as more resistant Leaves protruding rock of headlands and retreated bays
51
UK physical landscape What is a discordant coastline?
Alternate strata of hard and soft rock running along coastline
52
UK physical landscape What acronym shows the stages of stump creation?
CCASS - crack cave arch stack stump
53
UK physical landscape Describe the process of stump creation?
Headlands eroded by hydraulic action and abrasion on 2 sides - creates cracks Cracks become larger due to those processes and make - caves Caves erode through headland to make - arch Roof of arch collapsed due to freeze thaw at roof and H.A. At base - makes isolated pillar of rock - stack Stack eroded at base forming - wave cut notch Collapses forming a - stump
54
UK physical landscape What can you write instead of hydraulic action? And what for longshore drift?
H.A. + L.S.D
55
UK physical landscape How is a wave cut platform formed?
Base of cliff is eroded by HA + abrasion creating wave cut notch Subaerial processes such as freeze thaw weaken cliff top Cliff is undercut by wave cut notch + unstable so collapses Forms wave cut platform Process repeats and cliff retreats forming larger + wider wave cut platform
56
UK physical landscape Give 5 coastal depositional landforms
Sand beaches, pebble beaches, spits, bars, tombolos
57
UK physical landscape How are sand beaches formed?
Constructive waves transport material to beach using strong swash Weak backwash leaves pebbles at top of beach and sand to bottom Almost no erosion from beach due to weak backwash
58
UK physical landscape How were pebble beaches formed?
Destructive waves with weak swash transport material to beach Strong backwash puts heavy pebbles at top and smaller at bottom Sand is removed from beach due to strong backwash
59
UK physical landscape How are spits formed?
LSD Prevailing wind determines swash direction Backwash occurs at 90 degrees due to gravity and slope of beach Material moves laterally in a zig zag Change in direction of coastline - deposition continues to takes place Sand builds up on end and forms spit Behind spit wave energy is reduced as sheltered and deposition takes place creating salt marsh Change in wind direction leads to recurved spit
60
UK physical landscape What forms behind a spit?
Salt marsh
61
UK physical landscape How is a bar formed from a spit?
When a spit joins 2 headlands together
62
UK physical landscape When is a tombolo formed?
When spits join to an island
63
UK physical landscape What are 3 aspects of human development along coastlines?
Housing + offices + tourism
64
UK physical landscape What are 3 advantages of development along coastline?
Economic growth + coastal management + job creation
65
UK physical landscape What are 3 disadvantages of development along coastline?
Increase flood risk + disruption of local ecosystems/deforestation + house price increasing
66
UK physical landscape What are 2 advantages of coastal agriculture
Increases food supply + creates jobs
67
UK physical landscape What are 3 disadvantages of agriculture on coast?
Deforestation + flood risk increase + disrupts local ecosystems
68
UK physical landscape What are 2 advantages of industry?
Stimulates economic growth + creates jobs
69
UK physical landscape What are 3 disadvantages of industry?
Deforestation/disrupts local ecosystems + water/air pollution + water intensive
70
UK physical landscape What are 4 impacts of climate change on the coast?
Sea levels rising + thermal expansion + glaciers/ice sheets melt + increase in storm surges
71
UK physical landscape Why are sea levels rising?
Humans burn fossil fuels Greenhouse gas emissions Greenhouse effect Global warming Thermal expansion Glacial melt Sea levels rise
72
UK physical landscape What is thermal expansion
When water is heated it expands
73
UK physical landscape How are more storm surges caused by climate change?
Increase in evaporation More moisture in atmosphere Low pressure systems Increase in stormy weather and storm surges
74
UK physical landscape What are 4 ways coasts can be vulnerable to coastal erosion?
Soft, less resistant rock No coastal management Low lying coasts Coastlines with destructive waves
75
UK physical landscape What is an example of a soft rock coastline
Holderness
76
UK physical landscape What are 6 hard engineering strategies
Groynes Sea wall Rock armour Gabions Revetments Breakwater
77
UK physical landscape What are groynes?
Timber/rock structures at right angles to the coast Prevent LSD by trapping sediment Build wider beaches which absorb more wave energy Less vulnerable to erosion
78
UK physical landscape What are 3 advantages of groynes?
Relatively cheap (£5000)+benefit to local economy as attracts tourist through wide sandy beach + easily maintained
79
UK physical landscape How much do groynes cost?
£1000 to £4000 per metre
80
UK physical landscape What are 3 disadvantages of groynes?
Can starve beaches further down (increases erosion there) Unattractive/decreases tourists as acts as barrier Ineffective during stormy conditions
81
UK physical landscape What is a sea wall?
Curved concrete barrier at back of beach to reflect wave energy back to sea
82
UK physical landscape What are 3 advantages of sea walls?
Reduces flooding + increase tourism (path to walk on) + doesn’t disrupt LSD
83
UK physical landscape What are 3 disadvantages of a sea wall?
Very expensive (£5000-10 000 per metre) / need lots of maintenance Reduce biodiversity (construction destroying habitats) Coastal flooding can still occur with very large waves
84
UK physical landscape How much do sea walls cost per metre?
£5 000 to £10 000
85
UK physical landscape What is rock armour?
Large boulders piled up at back of beach Absorbs wave energy Leads to reduced erosion and increases deposition
86
UK physical landscape What are 3 advantages of rock armour?
Cheap (£1 000 to £3 000) + can last for a long time + doesn’t impact LSD
87
UK physical landscape Can rock armour increase tourism?
Yes - and doesn’t stop beach access
88
UK physical landscape If rock armour is placed in front of what thing the lifespan of that thing will be extended
A sea wall
89
UK physical landscape What are 3 advantages of rock armour?
Environmental damage to get rock in quarries + higher price when taken from abroad + looks unnatural (tourism damage)
90
UK physical landscape What are gabions?
Open wire cages filled with rocks placed at cliff base absorb wave energy
91
UK physical landscape What are 3 advantages of gabions?
Cheap and quick to build Can last 20-25 years Can blend into environment when sand is blown over them
92
UK physical landscape How long can gabions last?
20-25 years
93
UK physical landscape What are 3 disadvantages of gabions?
Cages can rust/break - dangerous for people and birds to walk on + unnatural + intrusive
94
UK physical landscape What are 3 advantages of revetments?
Wooden slatted barriers builds on back of beach to protect base of cliff by dissipating wave energy
95
UK physical landscape What are 3 advantages of revetments?
Cheaper + less intrusive than sea wall + don’t stop tourists walking on beach
96
UK physical landscape What are 3 disadvantages of revetments?
Could be considered expensive or inexpensive (£2000 per metre) Unsuitable where wave energy is high Short lifespan if wooden
97
UK physical landscape How costly are revetments?
£ 2000 per metre
98
UK physical landscape What is breakwater
Partly submerged rock barrier offshore to absorb wave energy
99
UK physical landscape What is one advantage of breakwater?
Don’t disrupt natural beach look
100
UK physical landscape What are 4 advantages of breakwater?
Potential navigation hazard + difficult to maintain + doesn’t reduce cliff or beach erosion + expensive or inexpensive (£1000 to 3000 per metre)
101
UK physical landscape What is beach nourishment?
Sand is dredged from sea bed and sprayed by boat onto beach then levelled by tractor
102
UK physical landscape What are 3 advantages of beach nourishment?
Cheap (£20 per cubic metre) + looks natural + more tourists due to bigger beach (economic benefit)
103
UK physical landscape How expensive is beach nourishment
£20 per cubic metre
104
UK physical landscape What are 3 disadvantages of beach nourishment?
People can’t use beach using maintenance + needs constant maintenance + dredging increases erosion in other areas
105
UK physical landscape What is cliff regrading?
Reduces angle of cliff to help stabilise + drainage removes water to prevent mass movement (landslides and slumping)
106
UK physical landscape What are 3 advantages of cliff regrading?
Cost effective + can be done to minimise impact to tourists at low tourist times of year + effective on clay or loose rock
107
UK physical landscape What are 3 disadvantages of cliff regrading?
Causes cliff retreat + constant maintenance + if drained cliffs dry out = rock falls
108
UK physical landscape What is dune stabilisation?
Marram grass stabilises dunes when planted + areas fenced off to stabilise dunes/grazing stopped there + reduces footpath erosion
109
UK physical landscape What are 3 advantages of dune stabilisation?
Maintains natural environment/wildlife habitats + cheap and sustainable (£2 - £20 per 1m)
110
UK physical landscape What are 3 disadvantages of dune stabilisation?
Time consuming to plant and grow + fencing reduces beach access/less tourists + can be destroyed in storms
111
UK physical landscape What is beach re profiling?
Redistributing sediment from lower to upper beach to absorb wave energy
112
UK physical landscape What are 3 advantages of beach reprofiling?
Cheap + simple + increased tourism
113
UK physical landscape What are 3 disadvantages of beach reprofiling?
Only effective where wave energy low + beach has to be closed during reprofiling (impacts economy of area) + needs to be repeated continuously
114
UK physical landscape What is hold the line coastal management?
Use sea defence to stop further erosion/recession
115
UK physical landscape Give 5 examples of hold the line coastal management?
Sea walls Rock armour Gabions Revetments Dune regeneration/planting vegetation
116
UK physical landscape What is advance the line coastal management?
Sea defences move coast further to sea
117
UK physical landscape What are 4 examples of advance the line coastal management?
Groynes + offshore breakwaters + beach nourishment + beach re profiling
118
UK physical landscape What are 3 reasons for doing nothing about coastline?
Value of land lower than management costs Building defences could cause erosion elsewhere on important land Could create marshes and be good for local ecosystems if not inhabited
119
UK physical landscape What is managed retreat/coastal realignment?
Allowing coastal flooding of low value land Financial compensation for people when homes lost
120
UK physical landscape What are 3 benefits of managed retreat?
Creates new intertidal habitat - increases biodiversity + cheaper in long term compared to hard engineering + reduces flooding elsewhere on coast as less available
121
UK physical landscape What are 3 costs of managed retreat?
Compensation costs for people + farmers for loss of agricultural land and earnings
122
UK physical landscape What is ICZM?
Integrated coastal zone management - considers needs of groups of people in society + economic costs/benefits + local environment with different approaches
123
UK physical landscape What is SMP?
Shoreline management plan - sets out how coast as a whole will be managed

GCSE Geography Revision (15 decks)

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