1.1.8 Variations in coastal processes, landforms and landscapes

What are the effects of high energy storm events on coastal landforms?

High energy storm events can lead to beach sediment removal, destruction of sand dunes, coastal flooding, and rapid mass movements like rockfalls, landslides, and slumps.

What seasonal changes affect the beach profile in summer?

In summer, there are fewer storms, less frequent high winds, and lower energy waves, leading to sediment moved onshore and a building up of the beach.

What seasonal changes occur on the beach profile in winter?

In winter, there are more storms, higher frequency of high winds, and higher energy waves, causing sediment to move offshore and lowering the beach profile.

What is eustatic change?

Eustatic change is a global change in the volume of water in the oceans, affecting sea levels.

What is isostatic change?

Isostatic change refers to localized changes in relative sea level caused by the upward or downward movement of land masses.

How does glaciation affect sea levels?

During glaciation, more water is frozen reducing ocean volume, causing sea levels to fall.

What happens to land during glacial periods?

The weight of ice causes land to sink into the crust, making sea levels appear relatively higher.

How does global warming impact sea levels?

Global warming increases melting of continental ice sheets, adding water to oceans and raising sea levels.

What is isostatic recovery?

Isostatic recovery is the gradual rise of land as ice melts and removes weight from the land.

What are the impacts of rising sea levels on coastal landforms?

Rising sea levels can flood low-lying coast areas, submerging deltas, spits, beaches, and alter river floodplains into estuaries.

What is a fjord?

A fjord is formed in a flooded glaciated U-shaped valley, characterized by being deep, flat-bottomed, and steep-sided.

What characteristic does Sognefjord have?

Sognefjord in Norway is 204 km long and 1308 m deep, known for its dramatic topography.

What is a threshold in the context of fjords?

The threshold is a shallower entrance of a fjord formed by less erosive glacier activity at sea.

What is a skerry?

A skerry is a small rocky island formed if the sea level rise does not cover the fjord's threshold.

What happens to beaches when sea levels fall?

Beaches are stranded above the new sea level, becoming raised beaches.

What are relic cliffs?

Relic cliffs are former cliff lines that are left stranded and become degraded due to sub-aerial processes.

What is a marine terrace?

A marine terrace is a raised wave-cut platform above the new sea level, which can be used for agriculture.

Where can raised beaches be found?

Raised beaches can be found along the western coast of Scotland.

What is the rate of isostatic recovery in Scotland?

The rate of isostatic recovery in Scotland is around 2 mm per year.

How do high energy storms affect sediment transport?

High energy storms increase wave energy, leading to the removal of large amounts of beach sediment.

What are constructive waves?

Constructive waves are low-energy waves that build up beaches by moving sediment onshore.

What are destructive waves?

Destructive waves are high-energy waves that erode beaches by moving sediment offshore.

How does sediment movement affect beach gradient?

Sediment moved onshore increases the gradient of the upper beach, while sediment moved offshore lowers the beach profile.

What happens to river valleys when sea levels rise?

River floodplains transform into broad river estuaries, known as rias.

What geological process creates a marine terrace?

A marine terrace forms when the wave-cut platform is left raised as sea levels fall.

What happens to vegetation on relic cliffs?

Relic cliffs become degraded over time and are often covered in vegetation due to sub-aerial processes.

What is the result of climate change on ocean water volume?

Climate change leads to warming oceans which expand in volume, contributing to rising sea levels.