Erosion, Transportation, and Deposition in Coastal Landscapes

These flashcards cover key concepts related to erosion, transportation, and deposition processes in coastal environments.

What is erosion in the context of coastal landscapes?

Erosion is the wearing away of rock, influenced by various processes such as hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition, and solution.

What is hydraulic action?

Hydraulic action is the process where the force of water erodes the rock, as waves pound the base of cliffs, forcing water into cracks.

What is abrasion?

Abrasion is the process where sand and shingle are hurled at the cliff base by the sea, scratching and scraping the rock to wear it down.

What is attrition?

Attrition is the process where material carried by the sea is worn down through collision, creating smooth, rounded pebbles over time.

What is solution in the context of erosion?

Solution is the chemical reaction where water dissolves minerals in rocks, particularly effective in limestone and chalk.

What factors increase the rate of coastal erosion?

The rate of erosion increases with larger wave fetch, strong winds, narrow beaches, and softer rocks that are less resistant to erosion.

What does transportation refer to in coastal landscapes?

Transportation is the movement of eroded materials (load) by the sea, which varies in size from large rocks to fine silt.

What is traction?

Traction is the process in which large rocks and boulders are rolled along the seabed.

What is saltation?

Saltation is the process where small stones and pebbles are bounced along the seabed.

What is suspension in the context of transportation?

Suspension is when light materials are held just below the sea surface, making the sea appear dirty without being highly polluted.

What is Longshore drift?

Longshore drift is the movement of material along the coastline in a zigzag pattern due to waves hitting at an angle.

What is deposition in coastal environments?

Deposition occurs when waves lose energy and drop sediment, adding to the beach and building it up.

What conditions promote deposition?

Deposition occurs in shallow, sheltered areas like bays or behind spits, where backwash is weakened and sediment can accumulate.