Unit 2: The Natural Environment Section A-Topic 1 Coastal Landscapes1- OutlineA- Processesa Types of wave: constructive and destructive.Describe the characteristics of the two wave types. Explain their impact on beach profiles.b Types of weathering, erosion and mass movement on the coastline.Define and explain the different types of weathering, erosion and mass movement.B- Landformsa Landforms of erosion: cliffs and wave-cut platforms, headlands and bays, caves, arches, stacks and stumps.Describe the named landforms.

Explain their formation in terms of sequence and the processes involved, including the influence of vegetation and geology.b What is the process of longshore drift? The impact of longshore driftDescribe the process of longshore drift.

Explain the impact on the coastline in terms of landforms and related issues, e.g. deposition in estuaries.c- Landforms of deposition: How are beaches, spits and bars formed?Describe the named landforms and explain their formation in terms of sequence and the processes involved.C- Coastal Recessiona Differential rates of cliff recession due to factors such as fetch, geology and coastal management.Define cliff recession.

Explain the factors that cause cliff erosion wave action, weathering and mass movement.b The effects of coastal recession on people and the environment.Describe the effects of coastal recessions on humans, e.g. insurance and loss of homes.

Describe the effects on the environment, e.g. loss of land.D- Coastal flooding: Prediction and prevention of the effects of coastal flooding by forecasting, building design, planning and education.Briefly consider what coastal flooding is and what causes it. Factors which increase vulnerability

Identify how the effects of coastal flooding are reduced through planning before the event.E- How the coast is managed.a The types of hard and soft engineering used on the coastline of the UK, and the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques.Define hard and soft engineering.

Describe hard and soft engineering techniques used in the UK, including groynes, sea walls, off-shore reefs, riprap, revetments, beach replenishment, managed retreat and cliff regradingb How the coast is managed in a named location.Describe how the coast is managed in a named location.

Consider the costs and benefits of different approaches to protecting the coast in a named location.

2- Learning through past questions and the question catcher!

A- Processesa Types of wave: constructive and destructive.Describe the characteristics of the two wave types. January 2011Outline the characteristic features of a destructive wave. You may use a diagram in your answer. (4)Destructive high frequency 10-14 per minute, short wave length, plunging, high energy/above 1m/backwash>swash (1) therefore beaches eroded (1) High energy waves (1) due to greater fetch (1) Credit labels on the diagram. Max 2 for a list.June 2011Compare the characteristics of constructive and destructive waves. (4)Max three without comparative statements. Max 2 if only reference to one of the requiredelements. Factors to include e.g. swash/backwash, frequency, energy, wavelength, period etc. Allow contrasting as well as comparative comments. E.g. Destructive waves have a greater backwash than swash (1) compared to constructive waves due to their higher energy (1) meaning that they can erode beaches (1). Constructive waves have a lower frequency (1) as a result of their longer wavelength (1) Destructive waves are plunging whereas constructive are surging (1). Destructive waves are higher (>1m) compared with constructive (1). Explain their impact on beach profiles.

Constructive waves

Destructive waves

Process

Greater swash than backwash. Sand and shingle moved up the beach = deposition

Greater backwash than swash. Most material is carried downward by the backwash= erosion

Impact on beach profile

Sediment is being added to the beach which the backwash cannot entirely remove, producing a gentle build-up of beach material. This will increase the gradient of the beach in its lower section. (swash zone)

Due to erosion, beach profile becomes gentler in its lower section. (swash zone)

b Types of weathering, erosion and mass movement on the coastline.Define and explain the different types of weathering, erosion and mass movement.Sample paper 1Describe how mass movement causes cliffs to retreat. (3)Mass movement could be rockfall/slumping/sliding/flow (1). Any one process described, eg rocks loosened by weathering (1) and then fall by gravity (1). Any other process identified (1).June 2011Outline the process of slumping.(2)Slumping - a rotational movement of land at the coast (1), triggered by saturation (1)State one impact of slumping on the coast.(1)Loss of land (1) Destruction of property/infrastructure (1)Loss of animal habitats (1) Causes coastal recession (1)January 2012Explain the process of physical weathering.(3)Freeze thaw diurnal changes in temperature around 0 degrees (1). Water in crack widened due to freezing (1), 9% volume increase (1) thawing leaves crack prized open removes water (1), process repeats (1)

Outline the three types of weathering. Physical weathering: the rock is broken apart without any change to the minerals which form it, e.g. freeze-thaw weathering.

Chemical weathering: decomposition of rock [change in composition] by biochemical processes, e.g. carbonates in limestone are dissolved by weak acids in rain water.

Biological weathering: breakdown and/or decomposition of rock due to the chemical and/or physical agents of an organism [plants or animals], e.g. the roots the trees put out force their way into cracks and, in time, can break up rocks.Explain the process of soil creep

Outline the processes of coastal erosion.See textbook page 43

B- Landformsa Landforms of erosion: cliffs and wave-cut platforms, headlands and bays, caves, arches, stacks and stumps.Describe the named landforms.

Explain their formation in terms of sequence and the processes involved, including the influence of vegetation and geology.Sample paper 1Explain how a wave-cut platform is formed. You may use a diagram to help your answer. (4)Explanation to include four points given from: Retreat of cliff (1), through wave erosion (1), with processes such as hydraulic action and Abrasion creating a flat or gently sloping bench (1), often at foot of cliff (1), extending out to sea (1), covered at high tide (1), modified by erosion and/or weathering (1).January 2011Explain the formation of cliffs and wave-cut platforms. Use an annotated diagram or diagrams in your answer. (4)Max 2 marks for descriptive points. Credit explanations at 1 mark each. Max of 3 marks without a mention of process. Full sequence needed for full marks. Max of three without annotated diagram. Cliff formation sea erodes base of cliff via Hydraulic Action, Abrasion (1). Creation of a wave cut notch and overhang (1) Lack of support (gravity)of overhung cliff creates pressure/cracks and subsequent collapse (1) Action of sea compacting rock into platform which protects coast at low tide (1) Formation of steep cliff which over time recedes (1)

January 2012Explain the formation of headlands and bays. You may use a diagram(s) in your answer. (4)Maximum 2 marks for description. Explanations credited at 1 mark each. Max 3 marks without a process or full sequence. E.g. Differential erosion due to perpendicular geology (reference to hard and soft geology which is perpendicular to the coast). Harder rock is more resistant therefore forms land which sticks out into the sea (headlands).Softer rock is eroded (hydraulic action/abrasion/corrosion) at a quicker rate to form a bay. An extension to sequence could refer to development of headlands into stacks/stumps or beaches within bays. June 2012Explain the formation of a stack. You may use a diagram(s) in your answer. (4)Max 2 without explanation. Max 3 without reference to process Max 3 without full sequence. Credit description and explanation on the diagram(s)E.g. Stacks begin as part of an eroding headland. Wave refraction causes waves to attack the side of the headland. Joints are exploited by erosion (named process e.g. hydraulic action, corrasion). Repeated erosion causes a cave, which becomes eroded through to become an arch. Pressure on the arch and force of gravity ultimately cause the collapse of the arch, leaving a stack.For 4 sequence or named processb What is the process of longshore drift? The impact of longshore driftDescribe the process of longshore drift.January 2013Outline the process of longshore drift. (3)Longshore drift (LSD) is the movement of material along the beach (1). It occurs in the direction of the prevailing waves (1). It is comprised of swash where breaking waves move material up a beach (in the direction of prevailing wind/waves (1), and backwash where (due to gravity) material is dragged back towards the sea (1). Swash and backwash is repeated leading to movement in a zig-zag movement along beach (1).

Explain the impact on the coastline in terms of landforms and related issues, e.g. deposition in estuaries.The movement of materials along the coast:- makes boulders and pebbles smaller and more rounded.- creates landforms such as beaches, spits and bars. - is a problem in river estuaries. Some estuaries which are used to harbour boats have to be constantly dredged because of longshore drift depositing material.c- Landforms of deposition: How are beaches, spits and bars formed?Describe the named landforms and explain their formation in terms of sequence and the processes involved.Sample paper 2Explain how a bar is formed. (4)Max 2 marks for descriptive points. Credit explanations at 1 mark each. Max of 3 marks without a mention of process. Full mark