Question 1: Define 'longshore drift' and give an example of its effect on a coastline.

Answer: Longshore drift is the process by which sediment is transported along the coast by wave action, typically causing the gradual movement of material in a zigzag pattern along the shoreline, such as at Brighton Beach.

Question 2: What is meant by 'abrasion' in the context of coastal erosion?

Answer: Abrasive wearing away of rock by the impact of sand and pebbles carried by waves.

Question 3: Name two types of coastal depositional features.

Answer: Sand dunes and beaches.

Question 4: Explain the role of 'marine processes' in shaping coastlines.

Answer: Marine processes such as wave action, tidal currents, and storm surges erode, transport, and deposit sediments, thereby constantly altering the shape and features of coastlines.

Question 5: What is the primary cause of sea level rise affecting coastal areas globally?

Answer: Global warming leading to the thermal expansion of seawater and melting of ice sheets.

Question 1: The Holderness Coast in England experiences rapid erosion, with rates averaging 2 meters per year. Discuss the main natural processes contributing to this erosion and how human activities have affected the coastline.

Answer: The primary natural processes include wave erosion, particularly due to strong prevailing winds and fetch, as well as the soft boulder clay geology which is highly susceptible to erosion through processes like hydraulic action and abrasion. Human activities, such as the construction of sea walls and groynes, have aimed to protect specific sections but have sometimes accelerated erosion elsewhere by disrupting natural sediment transport.

Question 2: In the Maldives, rising sea levels threaten low-lying islands. Describe the potential impacts on the environment and local populations.

Answer: Impacts include increased flooding, loss of land and habitats, contamination of freshwater sources, and potential displacement of local populations. Coral reefs may also be affected, reducing natural coastal protection.

Question 1: Explain why the geology of a coastline influences its rate of erosion, using the Holderness Coast as an example.

Answer: The Holderness Coast's soft boulder clay geology makes it highly susceptible to erosion because softer rocks are less resistant to wave action, leading to rapid land loss. Harder rock formations, like chalk or limestone, erode more slowly due to their greater resistance.

Question 2: Analyse the causes of coastal accretion in depositional environments such as the Nile Delta.

Answer: Causes include the deposition of sediments transported by the Nile River, combined with gentle wave action and favorable climatic conditions that promote sediment accumulation. Human interventions, like dam construction upstream, can reduce sediment flow, affecting natural accretion.

Question 3: Explain how storm surges contribute to coastal erosion and flooding.

Answer: Storm surges involve a rise in sea level caused by strong winds during storms, which increase wave energy and water levels, leading to severe erosion of coastal features and flooding of low-lying areas.

Question 1: To what extent are hard engineering solutions effective in managing coastal erosion along the Holderness Coast? Consider both benefits and drawbacks.

Answer: Hard engineering solutions like sea walls and groynes provide immediate protection and can effectively reduce erosion in targeted areas, preserving land and property. However, they often cause negative impacts such as increased erosion downstream, high maintenance costs, and visual impacts. Their effectiveness is limited in the long term due to ongoing natural processes, and they do not address underlying issues like sediment supply reduction.

Question 2: Evaluate alternative strategies to hard engineering for sustainable coastal management, using examples from the Maldives or other regions.

Answer: Soft engineering methods such as managed retreat, beach nourishment, and the construction of mangroves or coral reefs offer more sustainable solutions by working with natural processes. For example, in the Maldives, coral reef restoration acts as a natural barrier, reducing wave energy and promoting sediment deposition. These approaches tend to have fewer negative environmental impacts, are more adaptable to changing conditions, and often cost less over time. However, they may be less immediately effective and require ongoing maintenance and monitoring.