Erosional/Depositional Landforms

Erosion

The process by which earth materials are worn away and transported by natural forces, especially water, wind, and ice.

Headland

A coastal landform where hard rock protrudes into the sea, formed as softer surrounding rock is eroded.

Bay

An inlet of the sea where the land curves inwards, typically with a beach, formed by the erosion of softer rock.

Wave-cut platform

A flat, rocky surface at the base of a cliff, formed by the continuous erosion of the cliff by wave action.

Cliff

A steep face of rock and earth, often found along coastlines, shaped by erosion and weathering.

Wave-cut notch

A dent formed in the coastline at the level of high tide due to erosion processes.

Cave

A naturally formed underground hollow created within a cliff or headland by erosional processes.

Arch

A rock formation that results from the erosion of a cave, allowing for a passage through a headland.

Stack

An isolated column of rock that remains standing after the roof of an arch has collapsed.

Stump

A remnant of a stack formed after it is further eroded and collapses.

Longshore drift

The process that moves sediment along a coastline due to waves approaching at an angle.

Swash

The movement of water up the beach after a wave breaks, typically at an angle.

Backwash

The flow of water back down the beach after swash, moving straight down due to gravity.

Sediment

Solid material, such as sand, pebbles, and shingle, that is transported by water.

Coastal landforms

Geographic features created by the processes of erosion and sediment deposition along coastlines.

Spit

A narrow landform of sand or shingle that extends from the coastline into the sea, created by longshore drift.

Bar

A ridge of sand or shingle across a bay, formed when a spit extends to block off the bay from the ocean.

Lagoon

A shallow body of water separated from the open sea by a barrier such as a bar or spit.

Tombolo

A narrow strip of land connecting an island to the mainland or another island, formed by sediment deposition.

Refraction

The process by which the direction of waves changes as they move into shallower water.

Natural sand dunes

Hills or ridges of sand formed by wind action, typically found in desert and coastal areas.

Wind action

The movement of air that can lift and transport sand particles to form dunes.

Obstacles

Objects that interrupt wind flow, causing sand to accumulate and form dunes.

Barchan dunes

Crescent-shaped dunes that form in areas with limited sand supply and unidirectional wind.

Ecological role of dunes

The function of dunes in providing habitat, protecting shorelines, and stabilizing beaches.

Man-made sand dunes

Artificially constructed sand mounds designed to mimic natural dunes for environmental protection.

Coastal defense

The protective measures taken to shield shorelines from erosion, flooding, and storm damage.

Vegetation planting

The process of placing plants in sand dunes to stabilize the sand and promote growth.

Artificial dunes

Constructed dunes meant to restore natural habitats and enhance coastal aesthetics.

Monitoring

Regular oversight to ensure the stability and health of sand dune systems.

Gold Coast dunes example

Artificial dunes built along the Gold Coast in Australia for infrastructure protection and habitat restoration.

Hydraulic action

An erosional process where waves exert pressure on rock and compress air in cracks, causing erosion.

Abrasion

The wearing away of rock surfaces by the friction of transported particles or waves.

Constructive waves

Waves that build up beaches by depositing sediment.

Differential erosion

The varying rates of erosion that occur when rock types with different resistance are subjected to the same forces.

Barrier islands

Landforms that run parallel to the mainland and protect coastal areas from wave action.

Salt marsh

A coastal ecosystem in the intertidal zone, characterized by salt-tolerant plants, often formed behind spits.

Wildlife habitat

Natural environments that provide living space and resources for various species.

Rehabilitation

The process of restoring damaged ecosystems to their natural state or improving degraded environments.

Coastal ecosystem

The complex of living organisms and their physical environment along coastlines.

Dune stabilization

Efforts to prevent sand movement and maintain dune structure through planting and fencing.

Cumulative impact

The overall effect on an ecosystem as a result of various activities and processes.

Beach nourishment

A coastal management technique that involves adding sand to beaches to combat erosion.

Sediment supply

The availability of sand and materials needed for coastal landform development.

Coastal adaptation

Strategies employed to cope with the changing coastal environment and climate impacts.

Geographical features

Natural formations on the Earth's surface, such as mountains, valleys, and coastlines.

Erosional features

Landforms created primarily through the process of erosion.

Dynamic landscapes

Ever-changing geographical features influenced by natural processes such as erosion and deposition.

Marshes

Wetland areas characterized by herbaceous plants, often found behind barriers like bars.

Coastal management

The practice of protecting and managing coastal environments to balance environmental and human needs.

Dune types

Different categories of sand dunes defined by shape and formation process.

Fossil dunes

Ancient sand dunes that have become lithified and now serve as geological evidence of past environments.

Sedimentary processes

Natural actions that contribute to the formation and movement of sediment along coastlines.

Geomorphological processes

Processes that shape the Earth's landforms, including erosion, transportation, and deposition.

Coastal resilience

The ability of coastal areas to recover from adverse conditions, such as storms and erosion.

Permeability

The property of a material that determines how easily water can flow through it.

Nutrient cycling

The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter.

Sustainable practices

Management approaches that meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations.

Climate change impacts

The effects of climate change on coastal areas, including sea-level rise and increased storm intensity.