Coastal Landscapes for A-Level Geographers

Key Terminology

• Backshore: Area between high watermark and lambwood limit.
• Foreshore: Area between high watermark and low watermark.
• Inshore: Area between low watermark and the point where waves don't influence.
• Offshore: Point beyond where waves cease to impact the seabed.

Coastal Systems

• Coasts viewed as systems with:
  • Flows: Links between stores.
  • Inputs: Addition of matter such as wind, waves, sea currents, and tides.
  • Stores: Where energy is kept.

Waves

• Friction on seabed slows the wave; crest continues forward.
• Swash: Wave rushes up the beach.
• Backwash: Wave returns to the sea.
• Constructive Waves:
  • Low wave height, low frequency.
  • Strong swash, weak backwash.
• Destructive Waves:
  • High wave height, high frequency.
  • Strong backwash, leads to erosion.

Wave Refraction

• Waves bend and refract towards shallower water influencing erosion and deposition.

Transportation Processes

• Longshore Drift: Sediment movement due to angled waves.
• Rip Currents: Strong currents moving away from the shore.

Tides

• Definition: Periodic rise and fall of sea level.
• Types:
  • Spring Tide: Just after new/full moon.
  • Neap Tide: Just after first/third quarters of the moon.
• Tidal Range: Difference between high and low tide.

Coastal Energy

• High Energy Coastlines: High wave energy, increased erosion.
• Low Energy Coastlines: Lower wave energy, increased deposition.

Coastal Processes

• Marine Processes: Erosion, transportation, deposition.
• Sub-Aerial Processes: Weathering, mass movement.

Landforms

• Caves, Arches, Stacks, Stumps: Result from erosion processes.
• Wave-Cut Notches and Platforms: Features to explain formation.
• Minor Landforms: Runnels and cusps on beaches.

Spit and Bar Formation

• Simple Spit: Parallel to coast; Compound Spit: Hooked.
• Bar: Ridge of sand/shingle joining headlands, creating lagoons.

Mud Flats and Salt Marshes

• Form from fine sediment in sheltered areas.
• Factors: River estuary, saltwater, and flows meeting.

Sea Level Change

• Eustatic: Change due to water volume/ ocean basin shape.
• Isostatic: Land movement relative to sea.

Submergent and Emergent Coastlines

• Submergent: Coastlines inundated by sea rise (e.g., Rias, Fjords).
• Emergent: Coast exposed due to falling sea level (e.g., Raised Beaches).

Coastal Management

• Aims: Defense against flooding, coastal erosion protection.
• Shoreline Management Plans: Sustainable management, considering different scales and local contexts.

Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)

• Originated from UN Earth Summit 1992.
• Considers local, regional, national authority input.
• Example: Pevensey Bay strategy for longshore drift and coastal erosion.

Case Study: Sunderbans

• Delta of the Ganges, threatened by climate change.
• Risks: Cyclones, flooding, salinity, over-exploitation.
• Management Strategies:
  • Resilience: Coping strategies.
  • Mitigation: Reducing hazard severity.
  • Adaptation: Adjusting living conditions.

Exam Preparation

• Understand AO1 content and develop critical thinking for exams.

Note: Be familiar with diagrams and processes related to each concept and landform for better understanding and application in exams.