Physical Landscapes in the UK

GCSE Geography Physical Landscapes in the UK

Coast

a zone of land that interacts with the sea

Swash

the movement up a beach

Backwash

the movement down a beach

What are the characteristics of a constructive beach?

• created in weak winds

• strong swash, weak backwash

• creates a steep beach

• deposits material

• low wave energy

• long wavelength, low height

What are the characteristics of a destructive beach?

• created in strong winds

• weak swash, strong backwash

• creates a gentle beach

• erodes the coast

• high wave energy

• short wavelength

• high and steep

What are the types of weathering?

• biological

• physical

• chemical

Biological weathering

Weakening of rocks caused by plants and animals

Physical weathering

Geological processes breaking down rocks without changing their chemical composition

Chemical weathering

Chemical reactions causing part of the rock to dissolve

Freeze-thaw

when water continually seeps into cracks, freezes and expands, eventually breaking the rock apart

Process of acid rain

1. pollution is emitted from Earth

2. pollution mixes with rain water

3. pollution dissolves into water

Erosion

the breaking down and displacement of sediment

Transportation

the movement of sediment

Deposition

the dropping of sediment

What are the types of transportation?

• solution

• suspension

• saltation

• traction

When does deposition occur?

When the velocity of water reduces as it no longer has the energy to carry sediment and when the sediment is large as it is too heavy to carry

Which coastal features does erosion create?

• stacks

• stumps

• arches

• caves

• cracks

• headland

Why do beaches vary?

• size and colour of the sediment depends on the rock type

• beach profile depends on whether the waves a destructive or constructive

Headlands

Area of land that projects on to the sea

Bays

Recessed area of land that fills with water from the sea

How are sand dunes formed?

1. Sand gets blown towards the back of the beach.

2. The sand starts to form a small dune called an embryo dune.

3. Overtime, more sand starts to accumulate on the dune, so it grows to become a mature dune.

Why do we need to protect coasts from erosion?

• they host sensitive and diverse ecosystems

• some have cultural and historic significance

• continued erosion can result in loss of valuable land

• they are often centers of economic activity

What are methods to protect coasts?

Hard and soft engineering strategies

Examples of hard engineering strategies

• groynes

• sea walls

• rock armour

Examples of soft engineering strategies

• beach replenishment

• managed retreat

• dune regeneration

Where is the Jurassic Coast?

Devon and Dorset, in the SW of England

How long is the Jurassic Coast?

95 miles long

Erosional features at the Jurassic Coast

• Durdle Door (arch)

• Man O’War (stumps)

• Old Harry Rock (stacks)

Depositional features at the Jurassic Coast

• Swanage Bay

• Chesil Beach + Bar

• Studland Heath (sand dunes)

Where is Holbeck Hall?

Scarborough, North Yorkshire

What happened at Holbeck Hall?

60m of cliff slipped onto the beach: taking part of Holbeck Hall with it

What year did the Holbeck Hall Hotel collapse?

1993