coast

• Why is the coast considered an open system?

  Because it receives inputs from outside and transfers outputs away.
• In what context might a coast be considered a closed system?

  During scientific research and coastline management planning.
• How many sediment cells are there along the coast of England and Wales?

  There are 11 sediment cells.
• What are the three components of a sediment cell?

  Sources, through flows, and sinks.
• What does dynamic equilibrium in a sediment cell refer to?

  It refers to a constant state of change where inputs and outputs of sediment remain balanced.
• How can physical and human actions affect dynamic equilibrium in sediment cells?

  They can disrupt the balance of inputs and outputs of sediment.
• What is a negative feedback loop in the coastal system?

  A mechanism that lessens changes within a system, returning it to equilibrium.
• How does a storm create a negative feedback loop in a coastal system?

  Excess sediment is deposited as an offshore bar after storm waves lose energy.
• What is positive feedback in the context of coastal systems?

  A mechanism that exaggerates changes, making the system more unstable.
• How does human activity, like walking on sand dunes, contribute to positive feedback?

  It destroys vegetation, making dunes more susceptible to erosion.
• What is the littoral zone?

  It is the area of the coast where land is subject to wave action.
• What are the sub-zones within the littoral zone?

  Backshore, foreshore, and offshore.
• What does Valentine's classification describe?

  The range of coastlines that can occur.
• What causes an advancing coastline?

  Land emerging or deposition being the prominent process.
• What is the process of erosion?

  It involves the removal of sediment from a coastline by various types of erosion.
• What is corrosion in the context of coastal erosion?

  It is when sand and pebbles are hurled against cliffs by waves.
• How does abrasion contribute to coastal erosion?

  It wears down the shoreline as sediment moves along it.
• What is attrition in coastal processes?

  It is when rocks and pebbles hit against each other, becoming smaller and rounder.
• What is hydraulic action?

  It is when waves crash into rocks, forcing air into cracks and causing erosion.
• What is cavitation in coastal erosion?

  It occurs when bubbles in water implode under high pressure, eroding rock.
• How does corrosion solution contribute to coastal erosion?

  It erodes alkaline rocks like limestone through mildly acidic seawater.
• What is wave quarrying?

  It is when breaking waves exert pressure on cliffs, pulling away rocks.
• What factors influence erosion rates?

  Wave height, fetch, and the angle at which waves approach the coast.
• How does heavy rainfall affect coastal erosion?

  It weakens cliffs by percolating through permeable rock.
• What determines a rock's vulnerability to erosion?

  The rock's resistance, type (clastic or crystalline), and presence of cracks.
• What sequence of landforms occurs on pinnacle headlands due to marine erosion?

  Caves, arches, stacks, and stumps.
• How does a wave cut notch form?

  Marine erosion attacks the base of a cliff, creating a notch.
• What is a blowhole?

  A blowhole is formed when a pothole and a cave meet, allowing water to splash out.
• What is longshore drift?

  It is the process of sediment being transported along the coast by waves.
• How does wave angle affect sediment transportation?

  Steeper angles increase longshore drift, while parallel waves limit it.
• What is deposition in coastal processes?

  It occurs when waves lose energy and sediment becomes too heavy to carry.
• What is a spit?

  A spit is a long narrow strip of land formed by deposition from longshore drift.
• How does a bar form?

  A bar forms when a spit crosses a bay, linking two sections of coast.
• What is a tombolo?

  A tombolo is a bar or beach that connects the mainland to an offshore island.
• What are cross-bake fallens?

  They occur within triangular-shaped headlands where longshore drift creates beaches.
• What are offshore bars?

  Regions offshore where sand is deposited as waves lose energy.
• How do sand dunes form?

  They form when prevailing winds blow sediment to the back of the beach.
• What are embryo dunes?

  They are the upper beach areas where sand starts to accumulate around small obstacles.
• What are yellow dunes?

  They are formed as more sand accumulates and vegetation stabilizes the dune.
• What are grey dunes?

  They develop into soil with moisture and nutrients, allowing varied plant growth.