8 mark questions

explain how the sediment cell concept contributes to the understanding of coastal systems

1. AO1 - inputs, outputs and processes and examples. 11 in UK

2. equilibrium - positive and negative feedback

explain the role of geology in the formation of contrasting cliff profiles

definition

1. faulting - tectonic activity forming anticlynes and synclines ie lulworth cove

2. sedimentary - diff strata and bedding planes, lead to caves etc ie hold harry

explain the role of sea level change in the formation of emergent and submergent coastlines

1. emergent - ice age, creates raised beaches and fossil cliffs

2. submergent - ice age, global warming, thermal expansion. creates rias and fjords

explain the importance of vegetation in stabilising coastal landscapes

1. sand dunes - sea rocket pioneer. increase size, reduce friction, roots hold together and enables dune succession

2. salt marshes - eel grass. roots, wave velocity allows further deposition

explain why sustainable management of coastlines may lead to conflicts

1. knock on effects - hard engineering like groynes ie hornsea and mappleton

2. managed realignment - agricultural land vs high value land ie medmerry

explain why a range of approaches is needed to manage coastal landscapes

1. land value - managed realignment at medmerry vs thames barrier

2. engineering feasibility - some cannot work ie mobile depostional features ie spurn point, chale

explain the role of sediment transport in creating distinctive landforms

1. longshore drift, spits - process

2. longshore drift, cuspate forelands - both directions

explain why hard engineering approaches are still used to protect some coastal environments

1. high economic value - thames barrier

2. more effective than soft - sea walls, groynes

referring to examples, explain the problems of classifying coastlines

1. high vs low - could be low but if humans install hard engieneernig the energy and erosion patterns are changes ie terminal groyne syndrome

2. ST vs LT - may be emergent due to LT isostatic rebound but in ST may be submergent due to rapid sea level rise from climate change ie scotland

explain how physical factors affect recession rates

1. fetch - more energy if travels longer ie holderness

2. geology - sedimentary vs igneous vs metamorphic vs boulder clay ie holderness

explain how beach characteristics can change over the year

1. summer - berm, constructive waves and swash percolates

2. winter - berm eroded so offshore bar, may be storm ridges

explain why the use of soft engineering often leads to conflict

1. managed realignment - medmerry farmers vs leisure centre

2. no active intervention - happisburgh

explain how human activity can affect recession rates

1. dredging - process and reasons ie hallsands

2. building dams - process ie aswan dam

3. groynes - terminal groyne syndrome ie hornsea and mappleton

explain how concordant and discordant coastlines lead to different coastal landforms

1. discordant - headlands and bays, caves and arches etc

2. concordant - dalmation coastlines, haffs

explain why low lying coastal areas are increasingly at risk from flooding

1. sea level change - thermal expansion, melting ice

2. storm surges - more significant and higher

explain factors that determine the coastal management plan

1. engineering feasibility - mobile depositional features ie chale with sand dunes

2. CBA - forecasted both tangible/intangible ie thames barrier

explain social and economic consequences of coastal flooding

1. economic - from storm surges ST and LT ie north se storm surge

2. social - displacement and health

explain the role of geology in affecting coastal recession rates

difference between igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary and unconsolidated

explain how concordant and discordant coastlines lead to different coastal landforms

1. discordant - headlands and bays

2. concordant - haffs, dalmation coastlines, coves

explain why low lying coastal areas are increasingly at risk from flooding

1. rising sea levels - thermal expansion, and storm surges

2. isostatic changes - sedminent accretion and compaction on estu

explain the factors that determine the coastal management plan

1. engineering feasibility

2. CBA

3. community action

4. EIA

explain the role of inputs and outputs in maintaining the dynamic equilibrium of a coastal sediment cell

1. inputs - provide the material ie marine with tides and waves bringing in offshore sediment like from the seabed, terrestrial inputs like sub aerial process

2. outputs - prevent coastline from prograding (growing seaward). ie deposition causes sediment to be locked away, dredging removes material permanently

explain how human activities can disrupt the sediment budget of a coastal cell

1. hard engineering - groynes stop sediment transfer down drift causing terminal groyne syndrome where up drift area has sediment surplus but down drift deficit

2. dregding - direct output removing sediment. reasons why and effect it has

3. river dams

explain the concept of a sediment cell

1. closed system - what happens in one cell remains within the cell

2. operates through inputs (cliff erosion, river discharge), transfers (LSD, currents) and outputs (depositional landforms)

3. dynamic EQ and sediment budget - positive vs negative