Question 1: Describe the process of hydraulic action and explain how it contributes to the formation of coastal landforms.

Answer: Hydraulic action occurs when the force of moving water, such as waves, compresses air into cracks in the rock, causing the rock to break apart over time. This process helps form features like cliffs, wave-cut platforms, and caves by eroding the coastline.

Question 2: Identify and describe two types of coastal erosion that shape the shoreline.

Answer: Two types of coastal erosion are hydraulic action, where waves force air into cracks and break apart rocks, and abrasion, where sediments carried by waves wear down the coastline through friction and impact.

Question 3: Explain the difference between a headland and a bay, and how they are formed.

Answer: A headland is a point of resistant rock that juts out into the sea, while a bay is an area of softer rock that erodes more quickly, creating a sheltered bay. They form through the differential erosion of rocks with varying resistance along the coastline.

Question 4: Describe what a wave-cut platform is and how it is formed.

Answer: A wave-cut platform is a flat, rocky surface that forms at the base of a cliff due to erosion by waves. Over time, waves erode the cliff at its base, creating a notch. When the cliff collapses, the platform remains as a flat area at low tide.

Question 5: Sketch a diagram of a coastal stack and label its key features.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a tall, isolated pillar of rock standing apart from the coast, with a cliff at its base. Labels should include 'stack', 'cliff', and 'sea'. The diagram should illustrate the stack's vertical nature and its separation from the mainland.

Question 6: Identify three types of coastal depositional landforms and briefly describe how each is formed.

Answer: Three depositional landforms are: (1) Spits, formed by longshore drift depositing sand across the mouth of a bay; (2) Bars, formed when a spit extends across a bay, joining two headlands; (3) Beaches, formed by the accumulation of sand and shingle along the shoreline through wave action.

Question 7: Explain how a wave refraction process influences the shape of the coastline.

Answer: Wave refraction causes waves to bend as they approach the coast, concentrating energy on headlands and reducing it in bays. This accelerates erosion of headlands and promotes deposition in bays, shaping the coastline over time.

Question 8: Draw a cross-section of a typical coastal cliff showing the main features involved in erosion.

Answer: A correct cross-section should include the sea, a vertical cliff face with a wave-cut notch at the base, a cliff top, and some loose rocks or scree at the base. It should indicate areas of erosion such as the wave-cut notch and the potential for landslides.

Question 9: Describe how longshore drift works and its role in shaping coastal features.

Answer: Longshore drift is the process by which sediment is transported along the coast by the angle of wave approach. It moves material sideways, helping to form features like spits and beaches by depositing sediments in new locations.

Question 10: Identify and explain two human activities that can impact coastal erosion and landform development.

Answer: Two human activities are: (1) Construction of sea defenses, which can prevent natural erosion but may cause increased erosion elsewhere; (2) Dredging and land reclamation, which can alter natural sediment movement and lead to changes in coastal landforms.