0Still learning
Know0
Define the term weathering
Enjoying Flashcards?
Tell us what you think
Define the term weathering
Weathering is the break-down of rock in-situ (in its original place).
Define the term mass movement.
Mass movement is the downhill movement of material under the influence of gravity.
What is a landslide?
A landslide is a movement of material 'en masse' (as a whole) that remains together until it hits the bottom of a slope.
True or False?
Weathering involves the movement of material.
False.
Weathering does not involve the movement of material; this is what makes it different from erosion.
What is the name of the process by which living organisms break down rocks?
When living organisms break down rocks, this is known as biological weathering.
Define the term slump.
A slump is a type of mass movement where a large area of land moves down a slope in one piece, leaving a curved, indented surface behind. It is also known as rotational slip.
What factors affect mass movement?
Factors affecting mass movement include:
Slope angle
Vegetation cover
Water content
Rock type
Human activity
Climate
What is hydraulic action?
Hydraulic action is the sheer force of the waves hitting the coast.
True or False?
Attrition is the process by which rocks scrape against the cliffs .
False.
Attrition is the process where rocks and sediment carried by a river or waves knock against each other and become smaller, smoother, and more rounded.
What is longshore drift?
Longshore drift is the main process of deposition and transportation of sediment along the coast. It occurs due to waves approaching the shoreline at an angle.
What is the meaning of the term swash?
Swash is the movement of water up the beach.
True or False?
A discordant coastline is one where the rock structures meet the coast at an angle, perpendicular to the oncoming waves.
True.
A discordant coastline is one where the rock structures meet the coast at an angle, perpendicular to the oncoming waves.
What is a concordant coastline?
A concordant coastline is one where rock structures run parallel to the coast.
Define the term fetch.
Fetch is one of the factors that determines the height and strength of a wave, it refers to the distance the wind has blown over the water.
What features are formed on a discordant coastline?
On a discordant coastline, alternating bands of hard and soft rock form headlands and bays.
What is a headland?
A headland is a promontory of resistant rock projecting out to sea, typically forming the boundary between two bays.
Define the term bay.
A bay is a wide, curved indentation of the shoreline, often with a beach.
What causes waves to break as they approach the shore?
As a wave enters shallow water near the shore, friction from the seabed causes the wave to lean forward. The waves eventually crest and break.
True or False?
Constructive waves are beach builders.
True.
Constructive waves are beach builders.
What is the difference between destructive and constructive waves?
Destructive waves have a shorter wavelength, a higher frequency, and a stronger backwash compared to constructive waves.
What are destructive waves?
Destructive waves are waves that erode the beach.
True or False?
The difference between hard and soft rocks does not impact the shape and characteristics of cliffs.
False.
The difference between hard and soft rocks does impact the shape and characteristics of cliffs, as soft rock erodes more quickly than hard rock.
What is meant by the term seasonality?
Seasonality refers to changes in the environment, including precipitation, temperature, and day length.
Define storm frequency.
Storm frequency refers to how often storms occur in a particular location.
What are prevailing winds?
Prevailing winds are the most frequent winds in a particular region. In the UK the prevailing winds are from the south-west, bringing warm, moist air and frequent rainfall.
Name two factors related to weather and climate that affect coastal erosion.
Coastal erosion is influenced by weather and climate factors such as:
Storm frequency
Prevailing winds
Seasonality
True or False?
Storm frequency in the UK has decreased over the past few decades.
False.
Storm frequency in the UK has increased over the past few decades.
How does storm frequency impact coastal erosion?
Storm frequency impacts coastal erosion by bringing strong winds and high rainfall levels, increasing the power of waves, and leading to more erosion.
How many seasons does the UK have?
The UK has four seasons:
Autumn
Winter
Spring
Summer
True or False?
Freeze-thaw weathering occurs more in spring than any other season in the UK
False.
Freeze-thaw weathering occurs when temperatures are at their lowest. In the UK this is in winter.
What impact do high rainfall levels have on cliffs?
High rainfall levels can lead to the saturation of cliffs and increased risk of mass movement.
What is a wave-cut platform?
Formed by wave erosion, wave-cut platforms are wide, gently sloped surfaces found at the foot of a cliff.
What is a stack?
A stack is an isolated column of rock, left after the roof of an arch has collapsed due to erosion.
True or False?
A spit is a depositional landform.
True.
A spit is an extended stretch of deposited sand or shingle that extends out to sea from the shore.
How are headlands and bays formed on a discordant coastline?
On a discordant coastline, Alternating bands of hard and soft rocks run perpendicular to oncoming waves The soft rock (e.g. clay) is eroded backward, forming an inlet As the inlet continues to erode it curves inward, and a bay is formed, usually with a beach The hard rock (e.g. limestone) is left protruding out to sea as a headland.
What is an arch?
An arch is a coastal landform formed when a cave in a headland erodes through to the other side, creating an opening.
What are the main differences between sandy beaches and pebble beaches?
Sandy beaches are typically found in sheltered areas and are wider and more gently sloping than pebble beaches.
What are the stages in the formation of a bar?
Bars form due to the same process as a spit
A bar joins two headlands together
A bar of sand is formed (sandbar)
Freshwater is trapped behind to form a lagoon
What is a berm?
A berm is a ridge of shingle and sand that marks the normal high tide level on a beach.
True or False?
A saltmarsh forms behind a berm.
False.
A saltmarsh is a coastal wetland area that is regularly flooded by saline or brackish water, typically found in sheltered estuaries behind spits.
What is a tombolo?
A tombolo is a spit that has joined an island to the mainland.
True or False?
Buildings on the coasts increase the weight pressure on cliffs.
True.
Buildings on the coasts increase the weight pressure on cliffs.
What impact does agriculture have on the coast?
Agriculture can lead to increased soil erosion and sedimentation in coastal areas.
What is coastal recession?
Coastal recession, also known as coastal retreat, is the loss of land or movement of the shoreline inland as a result of coastal erosion.
State the two main causes of coastal flooding in the UK.
The two main causes of coastal flooding in the UK are rising sea levels and the increased frequency and severity of storms.
True or False?
Agriculture has no impact on coastal areas.
False.
Agriculture can lead to increased soil erosion and sedimentation in coastal areas.
What is coastal flooding?
Coastal flooding occurs when the land is submerged by seawater.
Define the term storm surge.
A storm surge is a rising of the sea level as a result of atmospheric pressure changes and wind associated with a storm.
How many villages have been lost to coastal recession on the Holderness Coast in the last 1500 years?
In the last 1500 years, 25 villages have been lost to coastal recession on the Holderness Coast.
True or False?
The average sea level around the UK has risen between 5 and 10 cm since 1900.
False.
The average sea level around the UK has risen between 12 and 16 cm since 1900.
How many UK coastal properties and businesses are estimated to be at risk by 2050?
By 2050, it is estimated that 200,000 businesses and properties will be at risk of sea level rise in the UK.
What is a Shoreline Management Plan?
A shoreline management plan is developed to reduce the threat of flooding and erosion and benefit local communities, economy and environment.
Define hard engineering.
Hard engineering involves the construction of structures such as sea walls and groynes to alter natural coastal processes.
What does soft engineering mean?
Soft engineering works with natural coastal processes rather than against them to reduce coastal erosion for example beach nourishment.
True or False?
Groynes stop beach material from being moved by longshore drift.
True.
Groynes stop beach material from being moved by longshore drift.
What is beach nourishment?
Beach nourishment is the process of pumping or dumping sand and shingle back onto a beach to replace eroded material.
What is the definition of dune regeneration?
Dune regeneration is the planting of vegetation to create or stabilize sand dunes and beaches.
Managed retreat is an example of what type of engineering?
Managed retreat is an example of soft engineering.
What is rip-rap?
Rip-rap is large boulders piled up to protect a stretch of coast from erosion.
True or False?
Sea walls are effective at preventing erosion but not flooding.
False.
Sea walls are effective at preventing both erosion and flooding if they are high enough.
What are gabions?
Gabions are a wall of wire cages filled with stone, concrete, sand etc. built at the foot of cliffs to reduce erosion.
What are the four possible options in shoreline management plans?
The four possible shoreline management options are:
No intervention
Hold the line
Managed realignment
Advance the line
The Jurassic Coast stretches for how many kilometres?
The Jurassic Coast stretches for 155 km.
True or False?
The harder Portland limestone runs parallel to the sea on the Jurassic Coast.
True.
The harder Portland limestone runs parallel to the sea on the Jurassic Coast.
What is the definition of a concordant coastline?
A concordant coastline is where the rock structures run parallel to the coast.
What type of landform is Chesil Beach an example of?
Chesil Beach is an example of a tombolo.
What types of rock form the headlands on either side of Swanage Bay?
Chalk and limestone form the headlands on either side of Swanage Bay.
What type of coastal landform is Old Harry?
Old Harry is a stack.
True or False?
More intense storms from climate change will lead to increased coastal erosion.
True.
More intense storms from climate change will lead to increased coastal erosion.
What is a saltmarsh?
A saltmarsh is a coastal wetland that is flooded and drained by salt water brought in by the tides.
The formation of Lulworth Cove is an example of what?
The formation of Lulworth Cove is an example of the erosion of softer rocks behind harder rock bands.
What year did the Valentine's Day storm breach the sea defences near Chesil Beach?
The Valentine's Day storm breached the sea defences near Chesil Beach in 2014.