Subjects

Geography

Physical geography

Coastal systems and landscapes

Coastal landscape development

How Coastal Landscapes and Systems Work - A Level Geography for Kids

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How Coastal Landscapes and Systems Work - A Level Geography for Kids

Phoebe

@phoebe_iwme

16 Followers

Coastal landscapes as systems: A comprehensive guide for A-level Geography students

Coastal landscapes are complex systems with interconnected components. This guide explores how coastal landscapes can be viewed as systems, covering key concepts, processes, and factors that shape these dynamic environments.

• Coastal systems are open systems with energy transfers between cells
• Inputs include wind, wave, and thermal energy
• Outputs involve erosion and evaporation
• Processes encompass sediment accumulation and longshore drift
• Sediment cells are crucial units in coastal systems
• Physical factors like wind, waves, and geology influence coastal landscapes

10/06/2023

399

Coastal Landscapes as Systems

This section introduces the concept of coastal systems in Geography. It explains how coastal landscapes can be viewed as open systems with various inputs, outputs, and processes.

Coastal systems are characterized as open systems, allowing energy transfer between neighboring cells. The key components of these systems include:

Definition: Open systems in coastal landscapes allow energy transfer between neighboring cells, creating a dynamic environment.

Inputs:

Kinetic energy from wind and waves
Thermal energy from the sun
Potential energy from material on slopes

Outputs:

Marine and wind erosion from beaches and rock surfaces
Evaporation

Processes:

Stores, including beach and nearshore sediment accumulation
Flows, such as longshore drift

The concept of system feedback in coastal landscapes is introduced, highlighting the importance of equilibrium:

Highlight: When inputs and outputs are equal, the coastal system is in equilibrium. Any disturbance triggers self-regulation to restore balance, demonstrating negative feedback.

The section also covers sediment cells, which are crucial components of coastal systems:

Stretches of coastline found nearshore
Involve movement of sediment
Can be closed systems with no sediment transfer between cells
11 large sediment cells exist around the coast of England and Wales

Example: The coastline of England and Wales is divided into 11 large sediment cells, each representing a distinct coastal system with its own sediment dynamics.

Coastal landscape
Whole course revision How can costal landscapes be viewed as systems?
Open systems:
Coastal systems are seen as open
syste

Wave Dynamics in Coastal Systems

This section explores the role of waves in shaping coastal landscapes and processes. It covers wave generation, characteristics, and behavior as they approach the shore.

Wave generation and characteristics:

Waves are generated by wind blowing over the sea
Wave characteristics depend on wind strength, duration, and fetch
Stronger winds create larger waves due to increased friction on the sea surface

Definition: Swell waves are surface gravity waves that have propagated away from their area of generation and are no longer influenced by wind.

The section introduces important concepts related to wave behavior:

Storm wave base:
- Refers to depths beneath storm-driven waves
- Absorbs energy from storm waves before they reach land
Dispersion:
- Separation of waves by wavelength in deep water
- Faster waves move ahead of slower waves
Ocean swells:
- Uniform waves moving in the same direction with equal wavelengths

Example: Ocean swells demonstrate how waves can travel long distances from their point of origin, affecting coastal systems far from where they were generated.

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Wave Transformation in Shallow Water

This section examines how waves change as they approach the shore, a crucial process in understanding coastal systems and their impact on landforms.

Wave transformation stages:

Initial contact with shallow water:
- Occurs when water depth is half the wave height
- Deepest water molecules drag against the seafloor
Changes in wave characteristics:
- Wave slows down due to friction with the seafloor
- Wavelength decreases
- Successive waves bunch up
Wave steepening:
- Deepest part of the wave slows down
- Wave crest advances ahead of the base
Wave breaking:
- Occurs when water depth is less than 1.3 times the wave height
- Significant forward movement of water and energy
Swash and backwash:
- Swash: water moves up the shore after wave breaking
- Backwash: water travels back down the beach due to gravity

Highlight: The process of wave transformation in shallow water is crucial for understanding erosion and deposition patterns in coastal systems.

The section includes a visual representation of wave motion and breaking patterns, illustrating the complex dynamics of coastal systems.

View

Physical Factors Influencing Coastal Systems

This section delves into the various physical factors that shape coastal landscapes and processes. It emphasizes the role of wind in creating wave energy and influencing coastal erosion.

Key factors affecting coastal systems include:

Wind characteristics:
- Length of water over which the wind has blown (fetch)
- Wind strength
- Wind duration
Coriolis force:
- Earth's rotation affects wind travel patterns
Prevailing winds:
- Cause longshore drift, moving sediment along the coast in a zig-zag pattern
Onshore winds:
- Drive waves towards the coast, causing erosion and shaping coastal features

Vocabulary: Aeolian processes refer to the erosion, transportation, and deposition carried out by wind, contributing significantly to coastal shaping.

The section highlights the importance of wind in creating wave energy:

Highlight: Wind speed and fetch directly influence wave size and energy. Higher wind speeds and longer fetches result in larger, more energetic waves.

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Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Download in

Google Play

Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

4.9+

Average app rating

13 M

Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 12 countries

950 K+

Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Download in

Google Play

Download in

App Store

4.9+

Average app rating

13 M

Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 12 countries

950 K+

Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.

Subjects

Geography

Physical geography

Coastal systems and landscapes

Coastal landscape development

How Coastal Landscapes and Systems Work - A Level Geography for Kids

View

Phoebe

@phoebe_iwme

16 Followers

How Coastal Landscapes and Systems Work - A Level Geography for Kids

Coastal landscapes as systems: A comprehensive guide for A-level Geography students

10/06/2023

399

Coastal Landscapes as Systems

This section introduces the concept of coastal systems in Geography. It explains how coastal landscapes can be viewed as open systems with various inputs, outputs, and processes.

Coastal systems are characterized as open systems, allowing energy transfer between neighboring cells. The key components of these systems include:

Definition: Open systems in coastal landscapes allow energy transfer between neighboring cells, creating a dynamic environment.

Inputs:

Kinetic energy from wind and waves
Thermal energy from the sun
Potential energy from material on slopes

Outputs:

Marine and wind erosion from beaches and rock surfaces
Evaporation

Processes:

Stores, including beach and nearshore sediment accumulation
Flows, such as longshore drift

The concept of system feedback in coastal landscapes is introduced, highlighting the importance of equilibrium:

Highlight: When inputs and outputs are equal, the coastal system is in equilibrium. Any disturbance triggers self-regulation to restore balance, demonstrating negative feedback.

The section also covers sediment cells, which are crucial components of coastal systems:

Stretches of coastline found nearshore
Involve movement of sediment
Can be closed systems with no sediment transfer between cells
11 large sediment cells exist around the coast of England and Wales

Example: The coastline of England and Wales is divided into 11 large sediment cells, each representing a distinct coastal system with its own sediment dynamics.

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Wave Dynamics in Coastal Systems

This section explores the role of waves in shaping coastal landscapes and processes. It covers wave generation, characteristics, and behavior as they approach the shore.

Wave generation and characteristics:

Waves are generated by wind blowing over the sea
Wave characteristics depend on wind strength, duration, and fetch
Stronger winds create larger waves due to increased friction on the sea surface

Definition: Swell waves are surface gravity waves that have propagated away from their area of generation and are no longer influenced by wind.

The section introduces important concepts related to wave behavior:

Storm wave base:
- Refers to depths beneath storm-driven waves
- Absorbs energy from storm waves before they reach land
Dispersion:
- Separation of waves by wavelength in deep water
- Faster waves move ahead of slower waves
Ocean swells:
- Uniform waves moving in the same direction with equal wavelengths

Example: Ocean swells demonstrate how waves can travel long distances from their point of origin, affecting coastal systems far from where they were generated.

Sign up to get unlimited access to thousands of study materials. It's free!

Access to all documents

Join milions of students

Improve your grades

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Wave Transformation in Shallow Water

This section examines how waves change as they approach the shore, a crucial process in understanding coastal systems and their impact on landforms.

Wave transformation stages:

Initial contact with shallow water:
- Occurs when water depth is half the wave height
- Deepest water molecules drag against the seafloor
Changes in wave characteristics:
- Wave slows down due to friction with the seafloor
- Wavelength decreases
- Successive waves bunch up
Wave steepening:
- Deepest part of the wave slows down
- Wave crest advances ahead of the base
Wave breaking:
- Occurs when water depth is less than 1.3 times the wave height
- Significant forward movement of water and energy
Swash and backwash:
- Swash: water moves up the shore after wave breaking
- Backwash: water travels back down the beach due to gravity

Highlight: The process of wave transformation in shallow water is crucial for understanding erosion and deposition patterns in coastal systems.

The section includes a visual representation of wave motion and breaking patterns, illustrating the complex dynamics of coastal systems.

Sign up to get unlimited access to thousands of study materials. It's free!

Access to all documents

Join milions of students

Improve your grades

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Physical Factors Influencing Coastal Systems

This section delves into the various physical factors that shape coastal landscapes and processes. It emphasizes the role of wind in creating wave energy and influencing coastal erosion.

Key factors affecting coastal systems include:

Wind characteristics:
- Length of water over which the wind has blown (fetch)
- Wind strength
- Wind duration
Coriolis force:
- Earth's rotation affects wind travel patterns
Prevailing winds:
- Cause longshore drift, moving sediment along the coast in a zig-zag pattern
Onshore winds:
- Drive waves towards the coast, causing erosion and shaping coastal features

Vocabulary: Aeolian processes refer to the erosion, transportation, and deposition carried out by wind, contributing significantly to coastal shaping.

The section highlights the importance of wind in creating wave energy:

Highlight: Wind speed and fetch directly influence wave size and energy. Higher wind speeds and longer fetches result in larger, more energetic waves.