Coastal Depositional Landforms

Question 1

Explain the formation of a beach. (4)

Answer 1

1. Beaches are formed in the intertidal area between high and low tide.
2. They are created by constructive waves which deposit material such as sand, shingle and pebbles which have been transported from further along the coast by longshore drift.
3. Constructive waves build up the beach.
4. The material of the beach depends on the geology of the area and the wave energy.

Question 2

Explain how a gently-sloping beach is formed. (2)

Answer 2

1. Sandy beaches form gentle slopes.

2. Backwash removes material easily to form a gentle slope.

Question 3

Explain how a steeply-sloping beach is formed. (2)

Answer 3

1. Shingle beaches form steep slopes.
2. The energy of the waves on the beach is reduced because the large particle size allows for percolation, meaning the backwash is not very powerful and a steep beach is created.

Question 4

Define the term ‘spit’

Answer 4

A spit is an extended stretch of beach material that projects out to sea and is joined to the mainland at one end.

Question 5

Name one example of a spit.

Answer 5

Spurn Head, Holderness coast, Humberside

Question 6

Explain the formation a spit in detail. (5)

Answer 6

1. Sand gets moved along the beach by longshore drift, fuelled by angled waves hitting the coastline.
2. Sand is washed up the beach at an angle in the process of swash and then comes back down straight in the backwash in this process.
3. This means that over time material moves along the coast until it reaches a gap in the coast, for example where the mouth of a river is.
4. The sand or shingle accumulates here and forms a narrow ridge where the direction of the coastline changes.
5. All spits need a constant supply of sand to be deposited or they get washed away.