Coastal Processes Quizs

Biological Weathering

• Faults/cracks in rocks are widened by the actions of plant roots and burrowing animals

• Rocks are broken down by temperature changes and freeze-thaw cycles

• Chemical reactions dissolve minerals in rocks

• Erosion caused by wind and water wearing away rock surfaces

Chemical Weathering

• Soluble particles in rocks are dissolved by weak acids in rain water.

• Rocks are broken down by physical forces such as wind and water.

• Minerals in rocks are transformed into new minerals through heat and pressure.

• Rocks are eroded by glaciers and transported to different locations.

Erosion

• The wearing away of rocks by waves, rivers and glaciers

• The process of building up landforms through sediment deposition

• The movement of rocks and soil due to gravity

• The chemical breakdown of rocks by water and air

Mechanical Weathering

• Changes in temperature cause rocks to break up.

• Rocks are worn down by chemical reactions.

• Rocks are broken down by living organisms.

• Rocks are transformed by heat and pressure.

Deposition

• The process where materials are carried away by erosional agents.

• The process where materials are dropped in a new location by erosional agents.

• The process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces.

• The process of transporting materials from one place to another.

Destructive Wave

• These waves have a strong swash and a weak backwash, leading to the deposition of sand and the formation of gentle beaches.

• These waves have a weak swash but a strong backwash, which scoops away sediment creating steep beaches often with larger pebbles.

• These waves are characterized by a balanced swash and backwash, resulting in stable beach formations.

• These waves have a strong backwash and a strong swash, causing significant erosion and flat beaches.

Attrition

• Sediment is transported without any change in size or shape.

• Sediment is rubbed together as it is transported in the waves, breaking off sharper edges and becoming smaller and smoother over time.

• Sediment is deposited in layers, forming sedimentary rocks over millions of years.

• Sediment is dissolved in water and carried away by currents.

Longshore Drift

• The process where waves approach the coast at an angle and transport sediment along the shoreline.

• A method of fishing that involves casting nets from the shore.

• The movement of water away from the shore due to tides.

• A technique used in coastal construction to prevent erosion.

Hydraulic Action

• Water is forced into faults in the rock by waves or rivers, creating pressure that widens the fault.

• Water erodes the rock surface without any pressure involved.

• Air trapped in the rock causes it to expand and crack.

• Waves and rivers have no effect on the rock structure.

Abrasion

• Waves throw sediment (rocks and pebbles) against the cliff gradually chipping away the rock.

• Waves erode the cliff by pulling sediment away from it.

• Waves deposit sediment on the beach, forming new land.

• Waves create large underwater caves by eroding the seabed.