Geography CCA

• Coast:)


  An area of land that is next to the sea
• Human uses of coastlines:)


  • TOURISM - many tourism resorts are located along the coast due to the activities they can offer tourists, e.g. swimming and sunbathing
  • RESOURCES - much of the world's remaining oil and gas is found under the seabed
  • TRANSPORT - oceans provide key transportation routes which enable global trade
• Geomorphic processes


  The interactions between the Earth's surface and natural forces to produce landforms
• Weathering


  The breaking down or dissolving of rocks and minerals on Earth's surface
• Erosion


  When earthen materials are worn away and transported by natural forces such as wind or water
• Transportation


  The movement of people, goods, and information in or across different regions
• Deposition


  The laying down of sediment carried by wind, flowing water, the sea or ice
• Types of weathering


  • Biological - caused by the movements of plants and animals
  • Chemical - the process of chemicals in rainwater making changes to the minerals in a rock
  • Physical - when physical processes affect the rock, such as changes in temperature or when the rock is exposed to the effects of wind, rain and waves
• Processes of erosion


  1. Hydraulic Action - the sheer force of water crashing against the coastline causing material to be dislodged and carried away by the sea

  2. Attrition - material such as rocks and stones carried by waves hit and knock against each other wearing them down

  3. Abrasion - rocks and other materials carried by the sea are picked up by strong waves and thrown against the coastline causing more material to be broken off and carried away by the sea

  4. Solution - sea water dissolves certain types of rocks
• Concordant coastline


  Has the same type of rock along its length
• Discordant coastline


  When the rock alternates between hard rock and soft rock along the coastline
• Formation of headlands and bays


  Waves wear down different types of rocks at different rates. Softer rocks wear away more quickly than harder rocks. Bays form where the waves erode soft rocks, but headlands are left as land that sticks out into the water
• Formation of arches, caves, stacks and stumps


  Two caves, one on each side of the headland join to form the arch. Weathering weakens the top of the arch and eventually it collapses this leaves a stack. The stack is then also weathered and eroded over time until a stump forms
• Waves


  Occur when the force of the wind blows over surface water, transferring its energy and causing the water to move in a circular motion
• Characteristics of constructive and destructive waves


  • Destructive waves have a strong backwash and a weaker swash
  • Constructive waves have a stronger swash, and a weaker backwash
• Longshore drift


  Waves approach the beach at an angle. Sediment is carried up the beach at an angle with the swash and the sediment travels with the backwash
• Deposition


  The laying down of sediment carried by wind, flowing water, the sea or ice. Sediment can be transported as pebbles, sand and mud, or as salts dissolved in water
• Coastal management


  Defence against flooding and erosion, and techniques that stop erosion to claim lands
• Coastal management techniques


  • Hard engineering approach - building structures, such as groynes, sea walls or rock armour, to protect the coastal area
  • Soft engineering approach - works with natural processes. Beach nourishment builds up the beach