Question 1: Define 'erosion' in the context of coastal landscapes.

Answer: Erosion is the wearing away of land by natural forces such as wave action, wind, or rain, leading to the formation of features like cliffs and bays.

Question 2: What is 'longshore drift' and how does it affect beaches?

Answer: Longshore drift is the movement of sediment along the coast caused by wave action at an angle, which helps build or erode beaches.

Question 3: Explain 'deposition' and give an example of where it occurs on UK coastlines.

Answer: Deposition is the process where sediments are dropped by waves or currents, forming features like spits and beaches; for example, at Spurn Head in Yorkshire.

Question 4: Define 'headland' and 'bay' with reference to coastal landforms.

Answer: A headland is a high, often resistant area of land that juts out into the sea, while a bay is a recessed coastal body of water with an indentation of the shoreline.

Question 5: Name the main types of coastal erosion processes.

Answer: Hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition, solution

Question 1: Which UK coastline is most affected by erosion due to its geology and wave exposure?

Answer: The Holderness Coast

Question 2: Describe how wave energy contributes to the formation of cliffs and wave-cut platforms.

Answer: Wave energy erodes the base of cliffs through hydraulic action and abrasion, causing the rock to collapse and forming a steep cliff face. Over time, wave erosion at the base creates a wave-cut platform.

Question 3: Name two features formed by deposition in UK coastal areas.

Answer: Spits and beaches

Question 4: Explain the concept of 'cliff recession' and its implications.

Answer: Cliff recession is the gradual retreat of cliffs due to ongoing erosion processes, leading to loss of land, impacts on local settlements, and increased risk of coastal flooding.

Question 1: Based on the erosion rates reported for the Holderness Coast, predict how much land might be lost over the next 50 years.

Answer: Given erosion rates of up to 2 meters per year, approximately 100 meters of coastline could be lost over 50 years, impacting villages like Easingwold and Withernsea.

Question 2: Analyze the formation of the Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye, considering geological and erosional processes.

Answer: The Old Man of Storr is a pinnacle formed through differential erosion of volcanic rocks. The resistant basalt cap has withstood erosion from wind and rain, while less resistant surrounding rocks have eroded away, leaving the striking formation. This showcases the impact of geological composition on landform development.

Question 1: Analyse the causes of differential erosion along the Jurassic Coast of Dorset and East Anglia.

Answer: Differences in rock types, with resistant limestone and chalk along the Jurassic Coast reducing erosion, contrast with softer clays in East Anglia that erode more quickly. Wave energy, fetch, and geological structure also influence erosion rates, leading to varied landforms.

Question 2: Explain how human activities can accelerate or slow down coastal erosion.

Answer: Activities like building sea defenses can slow erosion, but construction and dredging can disturb natural processes, potentially accelerating erosion elsewhere. Coastal management decisions influence the rate of erosion and landform stability.

Question 3: Describe the impact of climate change on future coastal erosion in the UK.

Answer: Rising sea levels and increased storm frequency due to climate change are likely to accelerate erosion, threaten coastal habitats, and require enhanced management strategies to protect communities.

Question 1: To what extent are current coastal management strategies effective in protecting UK coastlines from erosion?

Answer: Coastal management strategies such as sea walls, groynes, and managed retreat vary in effectiveness. Sea walls can protect specific areas but are expensive and may cause erosion elsewhere. Groynes trap sediment but can disrupt natural processes. Managed retreat allows natural erosion but risks land loss. Overall, a combination of approaches tailored to local conditions offers the best protection, though challenges remain with rising sea levels and climate change.