coasts

System

In physical geography, a system refers to a conceptual framework that illustrates how various interconnected parts, such as processes, elements, and structures, operate together to produce certain outcomes within a specific environment.

Closed System

This type of system allows for the transfer of energy between the system and its environment, while no matter can enter or leave the system, making it self-contained concerning material.

Open System

An open system is characterized by the exchange of both energy and matter with its surroundings, allowing for continual interaction and influence from external factors.

Cascading System

A cascading system describes the interconnectedness of various systems, where the output from one system becomes the input for another, highlighting the dependency and flow of energy and matter between systems.

Isolated System

An isolated system is defined as one that has no interactions with its environment, resulting in no transfer of matter or energy in or out, remaining completely independent.

Dynamic Equilibrium

Dynamic equilibrium refers to a stable state in a system where the rates of inputs and outputs are balanced, leading to a constant condition despite ongoing changes.

Threshold

In systems thinking, a threshold is a critical point or limit after which a significant and often irreversible change occurs in the system's state or behavior.

Positive Feedback

Positive feedback in a system amplifies or reinforces changes, leading to further deviations from an equilibrium state, which can significantly enhance or escalate processes.

Negative Feedback

Negative feedback is a corrective response within a system that counteracts changes, working to return the system to its original state or equilibrium after disturbances.

Landform

A landform is a natural physical feature of the Earth's surface, shaped by geological processes, examples include mountains, valleys, plateaus, headlands, cliffs, and beaches.

Landscape

Landscape refers to the composite of landforms, vegetation, and human features that characterize a specific area and contribute to its visual and ecological identity.

Backshore

The backshore is the region of the shore that extends from the high water mark to the landward limit of marine activity, experiencing changes primarily during extreme weather events such as storms.

Foreshore

The foreshore is the coastal zone between the high water mark and the low water mark, heavily influenced by tidal actions and processes crucial for marine ecosystem dynamics.

Inshore

Inshore is the area directly adjacent to the shore, stretching from the low water mark to where wave action stops impacting the seabed, often characterized by varying marine habitats.

Offshore

Offshore refers to the marine zone located beyond the reach of wave impact, where processes are dominated by sediment deposition, and biological activities are limited.

Nearshore

The nearshore zone extends seaward from the high water mark to the point where waves break, serving as a critical interface for coastal processes and marine life.

Sediment Cell

A sediment cell is a designated coastal section bordered by two headlands, within which the movement of sediment is contained, influencing the local shoreline dynamics.

Sediment Budget

A sediment budget is an accounting process that tracks the gains and losses of sediment within a sediment cell, essential for understanding coastal stability and erosion.

Erosion

Erosion is the geological process through which natural forces, such as wind or water, wear away and remove rocks and soil from the Earth's surface, shaping landscapes over time.

Transportation

Transportation involves the movement of sediments and materials from one area to another by natural agents like water, wind, or ice, crucial for landscape evolution.

Deposition

Deposition is the geological process wherein sediments carried by water, wind, or ice are laid down in new locations, contributing to the formation of new geological features.

Weathering

Weathering is the natural process of breaking down rocks at the Earth's surface into smaller particles through physical, chemical, or biological mechanisms.

Mass Movement

Mass movement refers to the downward movement of soil and rock materials under the influence of gravity, which can vary in speed and type depending on conditions.

Types of Mass Movement

Mass movement types include falls, slides, flows, and creep—each categorized by the nature of movement and material involved, influencing landscape alteration.

Falls

Falls occur when materials, such as rocks or boulders, drop steeply from a slope due to gravitational force, often resulting in rapid and dramatic changes in the landscape.

Slides

Slides refer to the rapid movement of soil and rock down a slope along a flat or gentle surface, commonly referred to as landslides, which can be destructive.

Flows

Flows describe the movement of water-saturated materials, such as mud or debris, which move in a fluid-like manner under the influence of gravity, often termed as mudflows or debris flows.

Creep

Creep is a gradual, imperceptible movement of soil and rock down a slope, which can accumulate over time to produce notable changes in the landscape.

Causes of Mass Movement

Mass movement can be triggered by various factors, including excessive rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and human interventions such as construction or deforestation, all affecting stability.