An extremely in-depth set of revision notes on the A Level Edexcel Geography topic of Coastal Landscapes and change for Paper 1. I achieved an A* for A Level Geography in 2022 using these notes. They involve everything on the specification.
Coastal landscapes and
change
Enquiry question 1
> Why are coastal landscapes different & what processes causes these
differences?
Key idea
2B.1 the coast, & wider littoral zone, has distinctive features & landscapes
2B.2 geological structure influences the development of coastal landscapes at a
variety of scales
2B.3 rates of coastal recession & stability depend on lithology & other factors
Detailed content
a. The littoral zone consists of backshore, nearshore & offshore zones, includes a
wide variety of coastal types & is a dynamic zone of rapid change
b. Coasts can be classified by using longer term criteria such as geology &
changes of sea level or shorter-term processes such as inputs from rivers, waves
& tides
c. Rocky coasts (high & low relief) result from resistant geology (withstands erosive
forces of sea, rain & wind), often in a high-energy environment, whereas coastal
plain landscapes (Sandy & estuarine coasts) are found near areas of low relief &
result from supply of sediment from different terrestrial & offshore sources, often
in a low-energy environment
a. Geological structure is responsible for the formation of concordant & discordant
coasts
b. Geological structure influences coastal morphology: Dalmatian & Haff type
concordant coasts & headlands & bays on discordant coasts
c. Geological structure (jointing, dip, faulting, folding) is an important influence on
coastal morphology & erosion rates, & also on the formation of cliff profiles & the
occurrence of micro-features, e.g. caves
a. Bedrock lithology (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic) & unconsolidated
material (boulder clay) geology are important in understanding rates of coastal
recession
,b. Differential erosion of alternating strata in cliffs (permeable/impermeable,
resistant/less resistant) produces complex cliff profiles & influences recession
rates
c. Vegetation is important in stabilising sandy coastlines through dune successional
development & salt march successional development in estuarine areas
The littoral zone (also known as intertidal zone)
= the area of the shoreline where land is subject to wave action - subdivided
into offshore, nearshore, foreshore & backshore & includes a wide variety of
coastal types, & is a dynamic zone of rapid change.
Backshore = Inshore/Nearshore =
area above the the area of shallow
high tide mark, water between the
not usually low water mark & the
touched by point where waves
waves except in stop having any
major storm influence on the land
events around them.
Foreshore = Offshore = the area beyond
area between the point where waves
high tide & low cease to impact the
tide mark (often seabed – deeper water
seen as the beyond point at which
most important waves begin to break & in
area for marine which activity is limited to
activity). the deposition of sediments.
,Coast is considered a system
Inputs
Marine – waves, tides, storm surges
Atmospheric – weather/climate, climate
change, solar energy
Land – rock type & structure, tectonic
activity
People – human activity, coastal
management
Processes
* Weathering
* Mass movement
* Erosion
* Transportation
* Deposition
Outputs
* Erosional landforms
* Depositional
landforms
* Different types of
coasts
Factors affecting wave energy
- Depth & shape of coastline
- Duration (that wind has blown)
- Fetch (distance wind has blown)
, How coasts vary –
Resistant rock coastlines Coastal plain landscapes (Eastern &
(western & Northern Britain) Southern Britain)
- Rocky coastline of - Consists of younger, weaker
igneous/basalt can sedimentary rocks (chalks,
withstand frequent clays, sand & sandstone)
storms with little erosion - Low flat relief: has a range of
- Also has compacted habitats from tidal creeks,
older sedimentary rocks mud flats, salt marshes &
(such as old sandstone) lagoons, low lying sandy
& metamorphic rocks beaches (some with sand
(slates & schists) dunes)
West coast has higher energy waves & east coast has lower energy waves.
High energy coastlines Low energy coastlines
* Rocky coastlines are * Sandy (sand dunes/beaches)
generally found in high & estuarine (salt
energy environments marches/mudflats) coasts are
generally found in low energy
They tend to be environments
* Stretches of the Atlantic
facing coasts, where the In UK, these tend to be
waves are powerful (large * Stretches of coast where the
fetch) for most of year waves are less powerful or
(Cornwall & NW Scotland) where the coast is sheltered
* Where the rate of erosion from large waves (such as
exceeds the rate of Lincolnshire & Norfolk
deposition * Where the rate of deposition
* Landforms include exceeds the rate of erosion
headlands, cliffs, shoreline * Made up of less resistant rock
platforms (wave-cut * Found in areas of low relief
platforms
* High relief
* Destructive waves Many coasts can be a mixture of high
& low
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller isabellewilliams. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $6.47. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
