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Littoral Zone
The area between low and high tide marks where the land meets the sea
What are the subdivisions of the Littoral Zone?
offshore, nearshore and backshore
Backshore Zone
The area of the beach above the high tide line, often only affected by waves during storms and high tides
Nearshore Zone
The area between the low tide mark where waves begin to break, including the zone of longshore drift and wave action
Offshore Zone
The deep-water area beyond the point where waves start to break, largely unaffected by wave action
Dynamic
Processes or systems which are constantly changing or evolving overtime due to forces
Geology
The study of the Earth’s physical structure and substance, including rocks, minerals etc
Rocky Coasts
Coastal areas dominated by rock formations, cliffs, steep topography
What are the characteristics of rocky coats?
high energy environment, formed by resistant rock, attacked by weathering/ mass movements
Coastal Plain
Flat, low-lying area adjacent to a coastline, often formed from sediment deposits and usually characterised by beaches and estuaries
What are the characteristics of a coastal plain?
low energy environment, dominated by processes of accretion (coastline advances seaward)
Geological Structure
The arrangement and organisation of the Earth’s crust, including aspects such as bedding planes, joints and folds
Concordant Coasts
A coastline where rock layers (strata) run parallel to the shore, often resulting in fewer bays and headlands
Discordant Coasts
A coastline when rock layers (strata) run perpendicular to the shore, typically resulting in a series of alternating bays and headlands
Coastal Morphology
The study of shapes, features and structures of coastlines, including how they are formed and altered by physical processes
Dalmatian Coast
A type of CONCORDANT coastline where parallel mountain ranges have been partially submerged by rising sea levels, creating a series of elongated islands and peninsulas
Haff Coasts
A type of CONCORDANT coastline featuring long, shallow lagoons (haffs) separated from the sea by narrow sandbars or spits
Headland
A protruding area of land jutting out into the sea, usually composed by resistant rock that erodes more slowly than the surrounding material
Bays
A broad coastal inlet with a wide opening to the sea, often formed in areas of softer rock that erodes more quickly
Bedding Planes
The horizontal layers of rock that forms as sediments accumulate over time, which can influence the erosion and stability of coastlines
Jointing
Natural fractures and cracks in rock layers that can influence the rate of erosion, particularly along coastlines
Dip
The angle at which rock layers are inclined from the horizontal, which can affect how a coastline erodes
Faulting
The displacement of rock layers due to tectonic forces, which can create features like cliffs and valleys
Folding
The bending of rock layers due to tectonic forces, which can influence the formation of coastal features
Cliff Profiles
The cross-sectional shape of a cliff, which can vary depending on the type of rock, wave action, and erosion processes
Micro - Features
Small-scale features of the coastal landscapes, including caves, arches and stumps, formed by localised erosion processes
Coastal Recession
The process of coastlines retreating inland over time due to erosion, sea level rise, or human activities
Bedrock Lithology
The study of physical features of bedrock, including its composition, structure and, resistance to erosion
Igneous
Rocks formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava, typically resistant to erosion (e.g: granite)
Sedimentary
Rocks formed from the accumulation and compaction of sediment, often less resistant to erosion (e.g: sandstone)
Metamorphic
Rocks that have undergone transformation due to intense heat and pressure, becoming more harder and resistant (e.g: marble)
Unconsolidated Material
Loose, uncemented sediment or soil that is more prone to erosion and movement compared to solid rock
Boulder Clay
A type of unconsolidated material, also known as till, deposited by glaciers, often poorly sorted and prone to erosion
Strata
Layers of rock or sediment that have accumulated over time, often visible in cliffs and other exposed landforms
Permeable
Rocks or soil that allow water to pass through them, often leading to increased weathering or erosion
Impermeable
Rocks or soil that do not allow water to pass through them, often leading to surface run-off and less erosion
Resistant
Refers to rocks and materials that are less likely to erode due to hardness or composition
Less Resistant
Refers to rocks and materials which are more prone to erosion due to their softness and or composition
Vegetation
Plant life that can stabilise coastal environments, reducing erosion through root systems and the trapping of sediment
Dune Successional Development
The process by which sand dunes evolve over time, often starting with pioneer species and leading to more complex vegetation structures
Salt Marsh Successional Development
The gradual change in plant species composition in a salt marsh, typically progressing from pioneer species to a more stable community
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