Describe and Explain one or more landforms produced by coastal depositon:

Material is deposited by constructive waves when waves no longer have enough energy to transport the material or there is an increase in the amount of eroded material being carried leading to the formation of beaches, spits and bars. Beaches are formed when the deposition of eroded material that has been transported from an area of weaker coastline on the updrift side is greater than the removal of material. This means that they form in sheltered areas such as a bay where there are constructive waves whose swash is greater than backwash. The material on a beach varies in size- the smallest sediments are deposited nearer the water and larger sediment at the back of the beach, deposited during times of high energy such as during a storm. Sandy beaches have gently sloping profiles and beaches constituing of pebbles have a steeper gradient. Spits are long narrow ridges of sand or shingle with one end attached to the land and the other in the open sea, formed when material, carried along the coastline by Long Shore Drift, is deposited at a bend or break in a coastline. Continual deposition creates a long ridge that extends out into the sea. Water is trapped behind this ridge leading to standing water or salt marshes colonised by marsh plants tolerant of salt as the spit offers protection from stronger waves. As the ridge extends further into the sea, the tip may be affected bt strong winds and currends creating a hooked end (e.g. Hurst Castle, Christchurch). Those formed of sand showcase sand dunes at the back. If a spit extends all the way across a bay (from one headland to another) or grows across a river mouth cutting off the mouth, a bar is created leading to the formation of a lagoon such as the Loe in Cornwall behind it. 

Answered by Polly M. Geography tutor

3148 Views

See similar Geography GCSE tutors

Related Geography GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How is a meander formed?


Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of fracking.


Describe the formation of an Oxbow Lake (4 marks)


name the 4 processes of erosion


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy