A Level>Notes>Physical geography>Coastal systems and landscapes

Sediment Sources in Coastal Systems

Inputs of Sediment into the System Rivers carry sediment from inland. Sea level rise can flood river valleys, forming estuaries. Eroded material from cliffs by waves, weathering and landslides. Waves, tides and currents can transport sediment into the coastal zone...

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Some Coastal Landforms are Caused by Erosion

Cliffs and Wave-cut Platforms Cliffs- form as the sea erodes the land. They retreat due to the action of waves and weathering. Weathering and wave erosion cause a notch to form at the high-water mark - a cave is formed. Rock above becomes unstable and collapses....

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Some Coastal Landforms are Caused by Deposition

Beaches Form when constructive waves deposit sediment on the shore. Shingle beachesare steep and narrow; have large particles. Sand beachesare wide and flat; have small particles. Berms- ridges of sand and pebbles found at high tide marks. Runnels- grooves in the sand...

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Sea Level Changes are Eustatic or Isostatic

Eustatic sea level change - caused by a change in the volume of water in the sea, or by a change in the shape of the ocean basins. Causes: Climate change. Tectonic movements. Isostatic sea level change - caused by vertical movements of the land relative to the sea....

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Only Some Parts of the Coast are Defended

Aims Protect homes. Protect businesses. Protect the environment from erosion & flooding.   Flooding and erosion of the coastline can have severe social, economic and environmental impacts. All coastal settlements want to be defended, but the amount of money...

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Sustainable Management Strategies for the Future

Strategies used shouldn't cause too much damage to the environmentor to people's homes and livelihoods and shouldn't cost too much. Hard engineering is often expensive,and it disrupts natural processes. Soft engineering schemes tend to be cheaperand require less...

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Coasts are Natural Systems

Inputs- sediment; energy from wind, waves, tides and currents. Outputs- sediment can be transported at sea or deposited further down. Flows/transfers- erosion, weathering, transportation and deposition occur. Stores/components- landforms are stores of sediment....

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Sources of Energy in Coastal Systems

Wind Created by air moving from areas of high pressure to low pressure. Storms - pressure gradient is high and so strong winds. Generate powerful waves. Waves Created by the wind blowing over the surface of the sea. Friction gives its circular motion. Height is...

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Coasts Can Be High Energy or Low Energy

High Energy Coasts Receive high inputs of energy in the form of large, powerful waves. Caused by strong winds, long fetches and steeply shelving offshore zones. Sandy coves and rocky landforms. Erosion is higher than deposition. Low Energy Coasts Receive low inputs of...

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