SlideShare a Scribd company logo

Coastal questions

•
•
T
tudorgeog

Freeze-thaw weathering involves the expansion of water in rock cracks when it freezes, which exerts pressure and causes pieces of rock to break off when it thaws. Chemical weathering changes the composition of the rock through warm, wet conditions. Mass movement rapidly transforms coastlines by causing cliffs and material on slopes to slide downwards, resulting in cliff retreat and new sediment supply on beaches.

Convert to study guideBETA

Transform any presentation into a summarized study guide, highlighting the most important points and key insights.

1 of 20
Coastal questions Year 9
Contrast the process of freeze thaw weathering with chemical weathering. (sp) Freeze thaw weathering involves temperature change around freezing point so that water in a crack in the rock will freeze and expand. Subsequent thawing will lead to pressure exerted on side of crack being released. Eventually, after repeated freezing and thawing angular bits of rock will break off. No change is involved in the rock itself, it just gets smaller. This is unlike chemical weathering where under especially warm and wet conditions the composition of the rock changes completely e.g. limestone. 2 x 1 for describing each type, 1 for clear contrast
Mass movement is common in the area shown in Figure 20. What role does mass movement have on coasts such as that in Figure 20? Shifting of loose material down a slope as one may be seen as a means of rapidly transforming the coast / cliffs (1) via sliding / slumping (1). The coast will retreat. (1) There will be a new supply of material on the beach (1) which can then be transported via longshore drift (1) 2 x 1/ 1 +1
Mass movement is a process affecting the coastal zone. Describe this process.(3 marks) S 2010 Mass movement occurs when loose material on the land surface (1) moves downslope (1) due to gravity (1) sliding and slumping (1). This is often fast and sudden (1) as with landslides (1) when the base of the cliff has been eroded, making the cliff unstable (1). With a landslide, the whole column of material moves in one go (1), slumping is similar, but this involves a curved movement (1).
Explain how and why cliff collapse occurs in some coastal locations. (S03) 4 marks Level 1 1 – 2 marks Basic statements e.g. destructive strong waves erode the land • rain saturates rocks, the rocks are soft. Level 2 3 – 4 marks Clear statements, considers how and why e.g. at Holderness the cliffs are very soft (w) and easily eroded by destructive waves (w). The cliffs are undercut and eventually the overhang collapses (h). Heavy rain may also saturate the boulder clay (w) causing slip planes to form along which the cliff collapses.(mass movement) (h)(4 marks)
1.Give two differences between destructive waves and constructive waves. (2 marks) Any 2 valid differences relating to the frequency, steepness, height, relative importance of swash/backwash.
Mark with an arrow and label three landforms shown on this coast.
Explain the formation of a cliff and wave cut platform (4 m) Explain the formation of a wave cut platform (S06) 6 marks •Waves attack between low water mark and high water mark; •base of cliff eroded through hydraulic action and abrasion, •wave cut notch formed •notch gets bigger and the cliff overhangs •as erosion continues, overhang collapses. •The cliff retreats and flat area of rock at base is exposed, forming the wave cut platform.
Either: Draw and label a diagram to show how a stack may develop at the end of the headland (S04) 2 marks Explain how wave action and other processes will help to create the features shown on your diagram (S04) 4 marks Explain the formation of a sea stack (S08) 6 marks
Draw and label s diagram to show how a stack may develop at the end of the headland (S04) 2 marks
Explain how wave action and other processes will help to create the features shown on your diagram (S04) 4 marks Level 1 Basic (1-2 marks) • Basic points made, may only consider wave action e.g. wave action will erode the cliff and cause the arch to collapse. Level 2 Clear (3-4 marks) • Clear and makes reference to wave action and other processes e.g. hydraulic action, the great power of the water widens cracks to form caves and leads to the roof of an arch collapsing. This may be helped by weathering e.g. freeze-thaw widening cracks.
(i) On the figure below, a sea stack has been labelled. Mark with an arrow and label three other landforms resulting from coastal erosion. Three different landforms should be identified – cliff, wave cut platform, headland, bay, cove, stump (only small feature).
(ii) Explain the formation of a sea stack. There is a line of weakness in a cliff face – e.g. a joint or a crack which is eroded by the sea to eventually form a cave. Hydraulic action and abrasion are particularly responsible for making the cave bigger. The rock must be relatively hard, made from limestone or chalk or otherwise it would simply collapse forming a slump. If there are two caves on either side of the headland, continued erosion will result in a hole being formed, joining the caves to form an arch. As further erosion takes place, the roof of the arch will eventually collapse, as it cannot be supported. The seaward end of the arch will form a sea stack – an isolated piece or pieces of rock, separate from the headland.
Level 1 (1-2 marks) Basic statements with limited sequence e.g. sea attacks the rock,hollow is formed, gets bigger and rock above falls. Level 2 (3-4 marks) Clear, more developed answer with clearer, more completesequence and more appropriate terminology e.g. waves attack a headland and erode a crack in the rock. A cave is formed due to abrasion. This gets bigger and forms an arch which collapses leaving a sea stack. Level 3 (5-6 marks) Detailed, well developed answer with clear and complete sequence; appropriate terminology, clearly links sequence to landform e.g. waves attack a crack in a headland. This is enlarged to form a cave by the pounding of the waves compressing air in the rock face and abrasion where material carried by the water is flung against the cliff. In this way, the cave is made bigger and, if there is one on either side of the headland, an arch will result when they join. Continued erosion will wear away the rock supporting the arch and this will collapse. This will leave an isolated piece or pieces of rock separated from the headland – a sea stack.
Photo of Hurst Castle spit in Hampshire. Describe the spit and explain how it was formed (S09) 6 marks
Description should refer to: • It is attached to the land at one end. • It is long and thin • Appears to be composed of sand. • It is wider and hooked at the end. • There is an area of calm water and deposition / small islands behind it / north of it. Explanation should refer to: • The bend in coastline where spit begins. • Deposition continues to follow the direction of the coast, • The importance of longshore drift in supplying material to the spit. • The curve at the end is due to change in wind direction / current.
Level 3 (Detailed) (5-6 marks) Developed answer with clear and complete sequence; appropriate terminology. Clearly links sequence to landform. Description and explanation are fairly well balanced. The spit begins where the coast changes direction. It is attached to the land here. Deposition continues along the coast in the original direction of the coast and the long, thin area of deposition (the spit) is formed. Longshore drift is responsible for this. Material is moved along the beach in the direction of the prevailing wind – here they will be south westerly so dominant direction of movement will be eastwards. The end is wider and is hooked as it moves towards the coast. An area of calm water and deposition is found behind the spit. It curves due to a second wind direction affecting the currents across the open water.
Explain why sea level is expected to rise (3 marks) S2010 • Increase in sea level due to melting of ice sheets (1) +1 for detail on locations of these (1). • Recognition that this will remove water stored in a frozen state (1) on land and enable it to flow to the sea increasing amount of water in the sea (1). May relate to underlying cause – global warming (1) and causes of this, e.g. increase in carbon dioxide (1) and reasons for this (1). • Thermal expansion due to warming sea due to global warming
Use a case study to describe economic effects of coastal flooding. 4 marks (2010) Economic effects likely to relate to: loss or damage to •areas •businesses •food crops in subsistence economy; •cash crops exports •impact on tourism need to try to protect and costs incurred in this.
Level 1 (Basic) (1-2 marks) Simple, listed points. Will refer to some effects may be drift into non – economic ones. Crops will be destroyed. People will lose their food supply and land. They will have nowhere to live. Parts of cities will be flooded. Businesses will be lost and people will lose their jobs. Level 2 (Clear) (3-4 marks) Points are developed and linked. Focus on economic effects. Refers to case study. As sea level rises, low lying parts of the UK will be flooded. Parts of the fertile Fens will be lost and people will lose their businesses. Crop production will fall – cereals and vegetables will be affected. Areas next to the Thames in London, including the Houses of Parliament will be flooded. The City will be affected and jobs could be lost. It will cost a lot of money to try to protect the coast from rising sea levels – in order of £10 billion.

More Related Content

Coastal questions

  • 2. Contrast the process of freeze thaw weathering with chemical weathering. (sp) Freeze thaw weathering involves temperature change around freezing point so that water in a crack in the rock will freeze and expand. Subsequent thawing will lead to pressure exerted on side of crack being released. Eventually, after repeated freezing and thawing angular bits of rock will break off. No change is involved in the rock itself, it just gets smaller. This is unlike chemical weathering where under especially warm and wet conditions the composition of the rock changes completely e.g. limestone. 2 x 1 for describing each type, 1 for clear contrast
  • 3. Mass movement is common in the area shown in Figure 20. What role does mass movement have on coasts such as that in Figure 20? Shifting of loose material down a slope as one may be seen as a means of rapidly transforming the coast / cliffs (1) via sliding / slumping (1). The coast will retreat. (1) There will be a new supply of material on the beach (1) which can then be transported via longshore drift (1) 2 x 1/ 1 +1
  • 4. Mass movement is a process affecting the coastal zone. Describe this process.(3 marks) S 2010 Mass movement occurs when loose material on the land surface (1) moves downslope (1) due to gravity (1) sliding and slumping (1). This is often fast and sudden (1) as with landslides (1) when the base of the cliff has been eroded, making the cliff unstable (1). With a landslide, the whole column of material moves in one go (1), slumping is similar, but this involves a curved movement (1).
  • 5. Explain how and why cliff collapse occurs in some coastal locations. (S03) 4 marks Level 1 1 – 2 marks Basic statements e.g. destructive strong waves erode the land • rain saturates rocks, the rocks are soft. Level 2 3 – 4 marks Clear statements, considers how and why e.g. at Holderness the cliffs are very soft (w) and easily eroded by destructive waves (w). The cliffs are undercut and eventually the overhang collapses (h). Heavy rain may also saturate the boulder clay (w) causing slip planes to form along which the cliff collapses.(mass movement) (h)(4 marks)
  • 6. 1.Give two differences between destructive waves and constructive waves. (2 marks) Any 2 valid differences relating to the frequency, steepness, height, relative importance of swash/backwash.
  • 7. Mark with an arrow and label three landforms shown on this coast.
  • 8. Explain the formation of a cliff and wave cut platform (4 m) Explain the formation of a wave cut platform (S06) 6 marks •Waves attack between low water mark and high water mark; •base of cliff eroded through hydraulic action and abrasion, •wave cut notch formed •notch gets bigger and the cliff overhangs •as erosion continues, overhang collapses. •The cliff retreats and flat area of rock at base is exposed, forming the wave cut platform.
  • 9. Either: Draw and label a diagram to show how a stack may develop at the end of the headland (S04) 2 marks Explain how wave action and other processes will help to create the features shown on your diagram (S04) 4 marks Explain the formation of a sea stack (S08) 6 marks
  • 10. Draw and label s diagram to show how a stack may develop at the end of the headland (S04) 2 marks
  • 11. Explain how wave action and other processes will help to create the features shown on your diagram (S04) 4 marks Level 1 Basic (1-2 marks) • Basic points made, may only consider wave action e.g. wave action will erode the cliff and cause the arch to collapse. Level 2 Clear (3-4 marks) • Clear and makes reference to wave action and other processes e.g. hydraulic action, the great power of the water widens cracks to form caves and leads to the roof of an arch collapsing. This may be helped by weathering e.g. freeze-thaw widening cracks.
  • 12. (i) On the figure below, a sea stack has been labelled. Mark with an arrow and label three other landforms resulting from coastal erosion. Three different landforms should be identified – cliff, wave cut platform, headland, bay, cove, stump (only small feature).
  • 13. (ii) Explain the formation of a sea stack. There is a line of weakness in a cliff face – e.g. a joint or a crack which is eroded by the sea to eventually form a cave. Hydraulic action and abrasion are particularly responsible for making the cave bigger. The rock must be relatively hard, made from limestone or chalk or otherwise it would simply collapse forming a slump. If there are two caves on either side of the headland, continued erosion will result in a hole being formed, joining the caves to form an arch. As further erosion takes place, the roof of the arch will eventually collapse, as it cannot be supported. The seaward end of the arch will form a sea stack – an isolated piece or pieces of rock, separate from the headland.
  • 14. Level 1 (1-2 marks) Basic statements with limited sequence e.g. sea attacks the rock,hollow is formed, gets bigger and rock above falls. Level 2 (3-4 marks) Clear, more developed answer with clearer, more completesequence and more appropriate terminology e.g. waves attack a headland and erode a crack in the rock. A cave is formed due to abrasion. This gets bigger and forms an arch which collapses leaving a sea stack. Level 3 (5-6 marks) Detailed, well developed answer with clear and complete sequence; appropriate terminology, clearly links sequence to landform e.g. waves attack a crack in a headland. This is enlarged to form a cave by the pounding of the waves compressing air in the rock face and abrasion where material carried by the water is flung against the cliff. In this way, the cave is made bigger and, if there is one on either side of the headland, an arch will result when they join. Continued erosion will wear away the rock supporting the arch and this will collapse. This will leave an isolated piece or pieces of rock separated from the headland – a sea stack.
  • 15. Photo of Hurst Castle spit in Hampshire. Describe the spit and explain how it was formed (S09) 6 marks
  • 16. Description should refer to: • It is attached to the land at one end. • It is long and thin • Appears to be composed of sand. • It is wider and hooked at the end. • There is an area of calm water and deposition / small islands behind it / north of it. Explanation should refer to: • The bend in coastline where spit begins. • Deposition continues to follow the direction of the coast, • The importance of longshore drift in supplying material to the spit. • The curve at the end is due to change in wind direction / current.
  • 17. Level 3 (Detailed) (5-6 marks) Developed answer with clear and complete sequence; appropriate terminology. Clearly links sequence to landform. Description and explanation are fairly well balanced. The spit begins where the coast changes direction. It is attached to the land here. Deposition continues along the coast in the original direction of the coast and the long, thin area of deposition (the spit) is formed. Longshore drift is responsible for this. Material is moved along the beach in the direction of the prevailing wind – here they will be south westerly so dominant direction of movement will be eastwards. The end is wider and is hooked as it moves towards the coast. An area of calm water and deposition is found behind the spit. It curves due to a second wind direction affecting the currents across the open water.
  • 18. Explain why sea level is expected to rise (3 marks) S2010 • Increase in sea level due to melting of ice sheets (1) +1 for detail on locations of these (1). • Recognition that this will remove water stored in a frozen state (1) on land and enable it to flow to the sea increasing amount of water in the sea (1). May relate to underlying cause – global warming (1) and causes of this, e.g. increase in carbon dioxide (1) and reasons for this (1). • Thermal expansion due to warming sea due to global warming
  • 19. Use a case study to describe economic effects of coastal flooding. 4 marks (2010) Economic effects likely to relate to: loss or damage to •areas •businesses •food crops in subsistence economy; •cash crops exports •impact on tourism need to try to protect and costs incurred in this.
  • 20. Level 1 (Basic) (1-2 marks) Simple, listed points. Will refer to some effects may be drift into non – economic ones. Crops will be destroyed. People will lose their food supply and land. They will have nowhere to live. Parts of cities will be flooded. Businesses will be lost and people will lose their jobs. Level 2 (Clear) (3-4 marks) Points are developed and linked. Focus on economic effects. Refers to case study. As sea level rises, low lying parts of the UK will be flooded. Parts of the fertile Fens will be lost and people will lose their businesses. Crop production will fall – cereals and vegetables will be affected. Areas next to the Thames in London, including the Houses of Parliament will be flooded. The City will be affected and jobs could be lost. It will cost a lot of money to try to protect the coast from rising sea levels – in order of £10 billion.