Coasts - Marine Processes

Question 1

What are the erosional processes at a coastline?

Answer 1

• hydraulic action
• abrasion
• corrasion
• attrition
• corrosion
• wave quarrying

Question 2

Describe hydraulic action

Answer 2

• waves hit the cliff face and push air into cracks
• this high pressure widens the cracks
• pieces of rock can eventually break off

Question 3

Describe abrasion

Answer 3

• sediment moving along the coastline
• friction of them rubbing along the surface of the coast erodes it over time

Question 4

Describe corrasion

Answer 4

• during high tide, rocks smash into the cliffs
• causes erosion to the cliff

Question 5

What impacts corrasion?

Answer 5

• the shape and size of the rocks
• the energy of the waves

Question 6

Describe attrition

Answer 6

• rocks hit each other and wear down
• result in smaller, smoother and rounder rocks
• doesn’t really erode the coast

Question 7

Describe corrosion

Answer 7

• slightly acidic water can erode softer rock

Question 8

How is climate change impacting how strong corrosion is becoming?

Answer 8

• oceans are becoming more acidic due to global warming
• increasing the levels of corrosion

Question 9

Describe wave quarrying

Answer 9

• waves break at the cliff face
• can break off small pieces of rock

Question 10

What are the factors affecting erosion? (explain them)

Answer 10

• type of rock = softer rock will erode more quickly
• waves = more powerful waves result in more erosion
• sub-ariel processes = weathering or mass movement will increase erosion
• beaches = will absorb the wave energy before it reaches the cliff