Systems

Open Systems

Systems where energy and matter can enter and leave through inputs and outputs.

Closed Systems

Systems where matter cannot enter or leave; only energy can enter and leave.

Dynamic Equilibrium

A state where there is a balance between inputs and outputs in a system.

Positive Feedback

Processes that lead to an increase or growth, moving away from dynamic equilibrium.

Negative Feedback

Processes that lead to a decrease or decline, restoring balance in a system.

Littoral Zone

The area of the shoreline affected by wave action, divided into subzones.

Backshore

The part of the beach lying between the beach face and the vegetation line, usually dry.

Foreshore

The area between the high and low tide marks.

Inshore

The area between the low water mark and where waves cease to influence the land.

Offshore

The area of deeper water beyond the breaking waves.

Nearshore

Shallow water beyond low tide where wave interaction occurs.

Swash Zone

The upper part of the beach between backbeach and the surf zone, subject to intense erosion.

Surf Zone

The nearshore area where waves come onto the beach.

Breaker Zone

The offshore area where waves break, typically in depths of 5m-10m.

Fetch

The distance of open water over which the wind blows.

Wave Refraction

The distortion of wave fronts as they approach a shore, causing varying energy levels.

Longshore Drift

The movement of sediment along the beach due to wave action.

Rip Currents

Strong underwater currents moving away from the shoreline.

Upwelling

The movement of cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean to the surface.

Tides

Changes in sea level caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun.

Tidal Range

The difference in height between high and low tides.

Hydraulic Action

The impact of water force on coastal rocks, leading to erosion.

Wave Quarrying

The process where air trapped in wave action causes rock fragments to break off cliffs.

Attrition

The process where rocks collide with each other, wearing down over time.

Abrasion

The rubbing of sediment against rocks, causing erosion.

Solution (Erosion)

The dissolving of rocks in water.

Lithology

Study of the physical and chemical characteristics of rocks.

Clastic Rocks

Rocks composed of sediment particles that are cemented together.

Crystalline Rocks

Rocks made of interlocking mineral crystals.

Unconsolidated Sediment

Sediment that has not been cemented to form solid rock.

Rock Class

Categories of rock such as sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic.

Strata

Layers of rock that reflect periods of geological time.

Bedding Plane

Horizontal natural breaks in sedimentary rock layers.

Joints

Vertical fractures in rocks caused by contraction or stress.

Folds

Bends in rock layers caused by tectonic forces.

Faults

Fractures in Earth's crust where rocks have moved.

Traction

Transport of large stones and boulders rolled along the sea bed.

Saltation

Bouncing movement of small stones and pebbles along the sea bed.

Suspension

Transport of fine particles suspended in water by wave action.

Deposition

When sediment accumulates faster than it is removed.

Physical Weathering

Breakdown of rocks through mechanical processes without chemical change.

Chemical Weathering

Alteration of rock through chemical reactions, such as dissolution.

Hydrolysis

Chemical process where water reacts with minerals to create new materials.

Mass Movement

The movement of rock and soil down slopes, influenced by gravity.

Cohesion

The degree to which materials stick together, affecting mass movement.