Coasts- Marine Processes

Question 1

Deposition along high energy coastlines

Answer 1

• small particles (clay/sand) easily transported

- large heavier material is deposited, forming single beaches

Question 2

Deposition along low energy coastlines

Answer 2

Even the smallest matter is deposited firming mudflats and salt marshes

Question 3

Hydraulic action

Answer 3

• the impact on ricks from the sheer force of water

- can exert enormous pressure on a rock surface, weakening it

Question 4

Wave quarrying

Answer 4

• a breaking wave traps air as it hits a cliff face
• the air is compressed into any gaps- causes huge pressure
• as water retreats there is an explosive effect of air pressure being released
• cliff face weakened allowing storms to remove large chunks (cavitation)

Question 5

Abrasion/corrosion

Answer 5

• eroded material being thrown against the rock by the waves
• also conducts erosion of wave cut platforms due to movement of material back and forth

Question 6

Attrition

Answer 6

-rocks which are carrying out abrasion are worn down into smaller rounder particles

Question 7

Solution (corrosion)

Answer 7

• not common as sea water is usually alkaline not acidic

- but wheee sea water interacts with freshwater supplies, carbon based rocks (eg. limestone) may be dissolved

Question 8

Traction

Answer 8

The rolling of coarse sediment along the sea bed that is too heavy to be picked up and carried by the sea

Question 9

Saltation

Answer 9

Sediment ‘bounced’ along the seabed, light enough to be picked up or dislodged but too heavy to remain with the flow of water

Question 10

Suspension

Answer 10

Smaller (lighter) sediment picked up and carried within the flow of the water

Question 11

Suspension

Answer 11

Chemicals dissolved in the water, transported and precipitated elsewhere. This plays an important role in the carbon cycle, transferring and redepositing carbon in the oceans