costal landscapes

• What are the two main types of waves?

  Constructive and destructive waves
• How do waves form?

  Waves form from wind and friction on water
• What happens when waves reach the coast?

  There is little horizontal movement of water
• What are the characteristics of constructive waves?

  • Formed by distant storms
  • Common in summer
  • Low waves with long wavelength
  • Swash pushes sand up the beach
  • Slow backwash
• What are the characteristics of destructive waves?

  • Formed by local storms
  • Common in winter
  • High, steep waves
  • Strong backwash erodes the beach
• What is the main cause of most waves?

  The friction of wind on the sea
• What is weathering?

  The decay or disintegration of rock
• What are the three types of weathering?

  Physical, chemical, and biological
• What is mass movement?

  The downhill movement of material due to gravity
• What are the three main types of mass movement?

  1. Sliding
  2. Slumping
  3. Rock falls
• What is hydraulic power in coastal erosion?

  The force of waves hitting cliffs
• What is abrasion in coastal erosion?

  Pebbles grinding along the seabed
• What is attrition in coastal erosion?

  Rock fragments crashing against each other
• What happens during coastal deposition?

  Water slows down and loses energy
• What are the four ways sediment is transported along the coast?

  1. Solution
  2. Suspension
  3. Saltation
  4. Traction
• What is longshore drift?

  The zigzag movement of sediment along the beach
• How does geological structure influence coastal landforms?

  It affects the arrangement and erosion of rocks
• What are headlands and bays?

  • Headlands: tougher rock eroded slowly
  • Bays: weaker rock eroded quickly
  • Bays are sheltered and form beaches
• What are caves, arches, and stacks?

  • Formed by erosion of cliffs
  • Caves develop first, then arches
  • Stacks are remnants of eroded arches
• What is a wave-cut platform?

  • Formed by erosion at high tide
  • Notch deepens, undercutting the cliff
  • Results in a gently sloping rocky platform
• What are the characteristics of beaches?

  • Deposits of sand and shingle
  • Sandy beaches in sheltered bays
  • Shingle beaches in high-energy coasts
• What are sand dunes?

  • Formed by sand blown inland
  • Stabilized by vegetation like marram grass
  • Nutrient-rich from decomposing plants
• What is a spit?

  • A long finger of sand or shingle
  • Formed by longshore drift across a bay
  • Offshore bars can become barrier beaches
• What are the methods of hard engineering for coastal protection?

  1. Sea walls
  2. Groynes
  3. Rock armour
  4. Gabions
• What are the advantages of hard engineering methods?

  • Effective at stopping the sea
  • Can create wider beaches for tourism
  • Relatively cheap options available
• What are the disadvantages of hard engineering methods?

  • Can look intrusive and unnatural
  • High maintenance costs
  • May increase erosion elsewhere
• What are the methods of soft engineering for coastal protection?

  1. Beach nourishment
  2. Dune regeneration
  3. Dune fencing
• What are the advantages of soft engineering methods?

  • More sustainable and blend with nature
  • Generally cheaper than hard engineering
  • Less intrusive to the environment
• What are the disadvantages of soft engineering methods?

  • Requires constant maintenance
  • Can be time-consuming to implement
  • May be less effective in severe conditions
• What is the cost range for sea walls?

  £2000-£5000 per metre
• What is the cost range for groynes?

  £150-£1000 per metre
• What is the cost range for rock armour?

  £200,000 - £400,000 per 100 metres
• What is the cost range for gabions?

  Up to £50,000 per 100 metres
• What is the cost range for beach nourishment?

  Up to £300,000 per 100 metres
• What is the cost range for dune regeneration?

  £200-£2000 per 100 metres
• What is the cost range for dune fencing?

  £400 - £2000 per 100 metres
• Why are soft engineering methods considered more sustainable?

  They work with natural processes
• What is the main disadvantage of beach nourishment?

  It needs constant maintenance
• What is the main disadvantage of dune regeneration?

  It can be damaged by storms
• What is the main disadvantage of dune fencing?

  It can be unsightly