3.1.3.2 Coastal landscapes in the UK
|
|
Key Idea
The coast is shaped by a number of physical processes.
Wave types and characteristics.
The coast is shaped by a number of physical processes.
Wave types and characteristics.
Before you can truely understand how different waves types influence the coast first you need to understand how water moves along the coastline.
First of all waves are created by the wind blowing over the surface of the sea.
The size of a wave depends on several factors:
- length of time the wind has been blowing
- strength of the wind
- the distance the wind has travelled, this is called the fetch.
Each of these factors will place a role in the resulting wave characteristics (see figure 2)
First of all waves are created by the wind blowing over the surface of the sea.
The size of a wave depends on several factors:
- length of time the wind has been blowing
- strength of the wind
- the distance the wind has travelled, this is called the fetch.
Each of these factors will place a role in the resulting wave characteristics (see figure 2)
There are two wave types that influence the coastline. These are associated with the weather conditions and power of the swash and backwash.
Swash is the water moving up the beach and moves in the direction of the prevailing wind. Swash pushes sediment up the beach away from the sea.
Backwash is the water moving back down the beach and is perpendicular to the coast (90 degrees) and is a result of gravity. Backwash pulls beach material towards the sea.
Swash is the water moving up the beach and moves in the direction of the prevailing wind. Swash pushes sediment up the beach away from the sea.
Backwash is the water moving back down the beach and is perpendicular to the coast (90 degrees) and is a result of gravity. Backwash pulls beach material towards the sea.
Coastal processes:
• weathering processes – mechanical, chemical
• mass movement – sliding, slumping and rock falls
• erosion – hydraulic power, abrasion and attrition
• transportation – longshore drift
• deposition – why sediment is deposited in coastal areas.
• weathering processes – mechanical, chemical
• mass movement – sliding, slumping and rock falls
• erosion – hydraulic power, abrasion and attrition
• transportation – longshore drift
• deposition – why sediment is deposited in coastal areas.
Key Idea
Distinctive coastal landforms are the result of rock type, structure and physical processes.
How geological structure and rock type influence coastal forms.
Characteristics and formation of landforms resulting from erosion – headlands and bays, cliffs and wave cut platforms, caves, arches and stacks.
Characteristics and formation of landforms resulting from deposition – beaches, sand dunes, spits and bars.
An example of a section of coastline in the UK to identify its major landforms of erosion and deposition.
Distinctive coastal landforms are the result of rock type, structure and physical processes.
How geological structure and rock type influence coastal forms.
Characteristics and formation of landforms resulting from erosion – headlands and bays, cliffs and wave cut platforms, caves, arches and stacks.
Characteristics and formation of landforms resulting from deposition – beaches, sand dunes, spits and bars.
An example of a section of coastline in the UK to identify its major landforms of erosion and deposition.
Key Idea
Different management strategies can be used to protect coastlines from the effects of physical processes.
The costs and benefits of the following management strategies:
• hard engineering – sea walls, rock armour, gabions and groynes
• soft engineering – beach nourishment and reprofiling, dune regeneration • managed retreat – coastal realignment.
An example of a coastal management scheme in the UK to show:
• the reasons for management
• the management strategy
• the resulting effects and conflicts.
Different management strategies can be used to protect coastlines from the effects of physical processes.
The costs and benefits of the following management strategies:
• hard engineering – sea walls, rock armour, gabions and groynes
• soft engineering – beach nourishment and reprofiling, dune regeneration • managed retreat – coastal realignment.
An example of a coastal management scheme in the UK to show:
• the reasons for management
• the management strategy
• the resulting effects and conflicts.