Question 1:

Define longshore drift and explain how it contributes to the formation of coastal landforms.
(3 marks)

Answer: Longshore drift is the movement of sediment along the coast by wave action. Waves
approach the shore at an angle, pushing sediment up the beach in the direction of the wave
(swash). The backwash then pulls the sediment back down the beach at a right angle due to
gravity. This zigzag movement gradually transports material along the coast. Longshore drift
contributes to the formation of coastal landforms such as spits and beaches by depositing
sediment in areas where wave energy decreases.

Question 2:

Explain how hydraulic action erodes the coastline.

(3 marks)

Answer: Hydraulic action is a type of coastal erosion that occurs when waves crash against the
coastline. The force of the water compresses air into cracks in the rock, increasing the pressure.
When the wave retreats, the air expands rapidly, causing the rock to weaken and break apart over
time. This process gradually erodes the coastline, especially in areas with weak or jointed rocks.

Question 3:

Describe the formation of a spit and name an example.

(4 marks)

Answer: A spit is formed when longshore drift transports sediment along the coastline until it
reaches a change in the shape of the coast, such as a river mouth or bay. When the coastline
curves inward, sediment is deposited in the shallow water, building up to form an extended
stretch of land jutting out into the sea. The end of the spit may curve due to changes in wind or
wave direction. An example of a spit is Spurn Head on the Humber Estuary in the UK.

Question 4:

State two factors that affect the rate of coastal erosion.

(2 marks)

Answer:
 1. Rock type – Softer rocks, such as clay, erode faster than harder rocks like granite.
2. Wave energy – Coastlines exposed to high-energy waves experience faster erosion
compared to areas with low-energy waves.

Question 5:

Identify and explain the features of a headland and a bay.

(4 marks)

Answer: A headland is a section of hard rock that juts out into the sea because it is more
resistant to erosion than surrounding softer rock. Over time, softer rock is eroded away, forming
a bay, which is a curved indentation in the coastline. The contrast between resistant and less
resistant rocks causes headlands to remain prominent while bays are formed where the rock
erodes more easily.

Question 6:

With the aid of a diagram, explain how a wave-cut platform is formed.

(5 marks)

Answer:

1. Cliff erosion: Waves repeatedly hit the base of a cliff, eroding it through processes such
as hydraulic action and abrasion.
2. Formation of a notch: Over time, a notch is created at the base of the cliff due to
erosion.
3. Collapse of the cliff: As the notch grows, the unsupported cliff above collapses.
4. Retreat of the cliff: The cliff retreats inland, leaving behind a flat area of rock at the
base, which is the wave-cut platform.
5. Further erosion: The platform is further eroded by wave action and is exposed at low
tide.

(Diagram should show the cliff, notch, and wave-cut platform).

Question 7:

Explain the role of vegetation in stabilizing sand dunes.

(4 marks)
Answer: Vegetation plays a crucial role in stabilizing sand dunes by trapping sand with their
roots and leaves, reducing the movement of sand by wind. The roots of plants, such as marram
grass, bind the sand together, making it more resistant to erosion. As the plants grow, they also
provide shelter from the wind, allowing more sand to accumulate and further stabilize the dunes.
This leads to the development of more mature dune systems.

Question 8:

Outline two methods of coastal management and discuss one advantage and one disadvantage
of each.
(6 marks)

Answer:

1. Groynes: Groynes are wooden or stone barriers built at right angles to the coast to trap
sand moved by longshore drift.
o Advantage: They help build up beaches, which protect the coastline from erosion.
o Disadvantage: They can starve down-drift areas of sediment, leading to increased
erosion there.
2. Sea walls: Sea walls are solid structures built parallel to the coastline to reflect wave
energy.
o Advantage: They provide effective protection against wave erosion and flooding.
o Disadvantage: They are expensive to build and maintain and can increase erosion
at the base of the wall due to wave reflection.

Question 9:

Evaluate the impact of rising sea levels on coastal environments.

(6 marks)

Answer: Rising sea levels can have significant impacts on coastal environments:

 Increased coastal erosion: Higher sea levels mean waves can reach further inland,
increasing the rate of erosion of cliffs and beaches.
 Flooding of low-lying areas: Coastal areas, especially deltas and estuaries, are at risk of
permanent inundation, leading to loss of land, homes, and infrastructure.
 Loss of habitats: Coastal ecosystems, such as salt marshes and mangroves, can be
submerged, threatening biodiversity.
 Salinization of freshwater: Rising sea levels can lead to saltwater intrusion into
freshwater supplies, affecting agriculture and drinking water. While these impacts are
negative, some areas may benefit from sediment deposition, which could create new
 landforms. However, overall, rising sea levels present a serious threat to coastal
environments and human settlements.

Question 10:

What is fetch, and how does it influence wave energy?

(2 marks)

Answer: Fetch is the distance over which the wind blows across open water to generate waves.
The longer the fetch, the more energy the waves will have because the wind has a greater
distance to transfer energy to the water, resulting in larger and more powerful waves.

Question 11:

Explain the formation of caves, arches, stacks, and stumps along a coastline.
(5 marks)

Answer:

1. Cave: Waves attack lines of weakness in a headland, such as joints or cracks, through
processes like hydraulic action and abrasion. Over time, the rock is eroded to form a
cave.
2. Arch: Continued erosion on both sides of the headland enlarges the cave until it breaks
through to form an arch.
3. Stack: The arch eventually becomes unstable and collapses due to gravity, leaving an
isolated pillar of rock called a stack.
4. Stump: Further erosion and weathering of the stack reduce its height until it forms a
stump, which is often visible at low tide.

Question 12:

Describe the difference between constructive and destructive waves.

(4 marks)

Answer:

 Constructive waves: These waves have a strong swash and a weak backwash. They are
gentle, low-energy waves that build up beaches by depositing sand and other materials.
 Destructive waves: These waves have a strong backwash and a weak swash. They are
high-energy, steep waves that erode the coastline by removing material from the beach.
Question 13:

Identify two human activities that contribute to coastal erosion and explain how they do so.
(4 marks)

Answer:

1. Dredging: Removing sand and gravel from the seabed for construction or mining
purposes can lead to a reduction in sediment supply to the coast, causing increased
erosion.
2. Deforestation: Removing coastal vegetation (such as mangroves) for development
reduces the natural protection that roots provide against wave erosion, making the
coastline more vulnerable.

Question 14:

Explain how a bar is formed along a coastline.

(3 marks)

Answer: A bar forms when longshore drift transports sediment across the mouth of a bay or an
estuary. As sediment continues to accumulate, it stretches across the bay, eventually connecting
one side to the other. This can trap a body of water behind the bar, forming a lagoon. An
example is Chesil Beach in the UK.

Question 15:

Using an example, explain the process of managed retreat in coastal management.

(4 marks)

Answer: Managed retreat is a strategy where areas of the coast are deliberately allowed to
flood or erode to reduce pressure on more valuable areas. For example, in the UK, the village of
Medmerry in West Sussex was allowed to flood to create new wetlands and reduce the risk of
flooding in more populated areas. This process helps create natural defenses like salt marshes,
which absorb wave energy and provide wildlife habitats, while minimizing the cost of defending
low-value land.

Question 16:

State two characteristics of a sandy beach and two characteristics of a shingle beach.
(4 marks)
Answer:

 Sandy beach:
1. Gentle slope with fine, soft sand.
2. Absorbs wave energy, so waves tend to be constructive, building up the beach.
 Shingle beach:
1. Steeper slope with larger, coarse material like pebbles and gravel.
2. Waves tend to be destructive, as they remove material from the beach.

Question 17:

Explain how groynes help to manage coastal erosion.

(3 marks)

Answer: Groynes are wooden, stone, or concrete barriers built at right angles to the shoreline.
They trap sediment carried by longshore drift, which helps build up the beach. By retaining sand
and other materials, they reduce the rate of erosion by providing a wider beach that absorbs wave
energy. However, groynes can lead to increased erosion further down the coast by interrupting
the natural sediment supply.

Question 18:

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using hard engineering and soft engineering
techniques to manage coastlines.
(6 marks)

Answer:

 Hard engineering:
o Advantages: Provides immediate and effective protection against coastal erosion
and flooding. Structures like sea walls and groynes are durable and can last for
decades.
o Disadvantages: Expensive to build and maintain. They can have negative
environmental impacts, such as disrupting sediment flow and increasing erosion
in other areas.
 Soft engineering:
o Advantages: Works with natural processes to reduce erosion and flooding, such as
beach nourishment and dune stabilization. It's more sustainable and
environmentally friendly.
o Disadvantages: It may take longer to implement and might not provide the same
level of immediate protection as hard engineering. Soft methods also require
regular maintenance.