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15 Dec 2025

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Comprehensive Notes on AQA A-Level Geography Coasts

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Millie

@milliemurphyx

Coastal processes shape our shorelines through powerful forces of transportation,... Show more

Note 22 Mar 2023
22 Mar 2023 at 12:16

Transportation

COASTS

SOLUTION
- dissaved substances
- e-g. limestare
- disaed in water
is slightly

Coastal Transportation

Ever wondered how beaches get their sand or why pebbles end up in certain spots? Coastal transportation is the process where waves, tides, and currents act like conveyor belts, moving different materials along the coast.

There are four main ways sediment travels along coastlines. Solution dissolves materials like limestone directly into slightly acidic seawater - you can't even see it happening! Saltation bounces pebbles and gravel along the seabed in a hopping motion.

Traction is the most dramatic - massive boulders get pushed and rolled along the seafloor by powerful wave forces. Meanwhile, suspension carries fine materials like silt and clay by whipping them up in turbulent water, creating that murky look you see in rough seas.

Key insight: The energy from waves, tides, and currents provides all the power needed to transport everything from tiny particles to house-sized boulders.

Note 22 Mar 2023
22 Mar 2023 at 12:16

Transportation

COASTS

SOLUTION
- dissaved substances
- e-g. limestare
- disaed in water
is slightly

Deposition and Weathering

Deposition happens when water and wind basically get too tired to carry their load any further. Marine deposition occurs when seawater drops its sediment, whilst Aeolian deposition happens when wind loses its carrying power.

This process kicks in when sediment load exceeds what water or wind can actually handle. Think of it like an overloaded shopping bag - eventually something's got to give! Sediment load increases during events like landslides, or when wind and water lose energy and slow right down.

Freeze-thaw weathering is nature's jackhammer, working on cliffs in areas where temperatures bounce above and below freezing. Water seeps into rock joints and cracks, then expands by about 9% when it freezes - imagine that pressure building up!

Remember: Weathering weakens cliffs first, making them much more vulnerable to erosion later - it's like softening them up for the knockout punch.



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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

Geography

396

15 Dec 2025

2 pages

Comprehensive Notes on AQA A-Level Geography Coasts

user profile picture

Millie

@milliemurphyx

Coastal processes shape our shorelines through powerful forces of transportation, deposition, and weathering. Understanding how waves, tides, and weather break down rocks and move sediment helps explain why coastlines constantly change over time.

Note 22 Mar 2023
22 Mar 2023 at 12:16

Transportation

COASTS

SOLUTION
- dissaved substances
- e-g. limestare
- disaed in water
is slightly

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Coastal Transportation

Ever wondered how beaches get their sand or why pebbles end up in certain spots? Coastal transportation is the process where waves, tides, and currents act like conveyor belts, moving different materials along the coast.

There are four main ways sediment travels along coastlines. Solution dissolves materials like limestone directly into slightly acidic seawater - you can't even see it happening! Saltation bounces pebbles and gravel along the seabed in a hopping motion.

Traction is the most dramatic - massive boulders get pushed and rolled along the seafloor by powerful wave forces. Meanwhile, suspension carries fine materials like silt and clay by whipping them up in turbulent water, creating that murky look you see in rough seas.

Key insight: The energy from waves, tides, and currents provides all the power needed to transport everything from tiny particles to house-sized boulders.

Note 22 Mar 2023
22 Mar 2023 at 12:16

Transportation

COASTS

SOLUTION
- dissaved substances
- e-g. limestare
- disaed in water
is slightly

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Deposition and Weathering

Deposition happens when water and wind basically get too tired to carry their load any further. Marine deposition occurs when seawater drops its sediment, whilst Aeolian deposition happens when wind loses its carrying power.

This process kicks in when sediment load exceeds what water or wind can actually handle. Think of it like an overloaded shopping bag - eventually something's got to give! Sediment load increases during events like landslides, or when wind and water lose energy and slow right down.

Freeze-thaw weathering is nature's jackhammer, working on cliffs in areas where temperatures bounce above and below freezing. Water seeps into rock joints and cracks, then expands by about 9% when it freezes - imagine that pressure building up!

Remember: Weathering weakens cliffs first, making them much more vulnerable to erosion later - it's like softening them up for the knockout punch.

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Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

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Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

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Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user