Understanding Coasts
Coasts are an incredibly important environment, with a vast array of animal and plant species, as well as important for the relationships between the biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and lithosphere.
Coastal Processes
An important part of the unit one outcome this semester is to understand the natural processes that occur in coastal areas. These processes form coastal landforms as we see them today, and are part of the dynamic and changing nature of coastal environments. After showing the keynote presentation on coasts, you will need to complete a number of tasks.
Your Task
Using the following Youtube videos and other resources, write down a definition, explanation and draw a diagram of the following coastal processes. Structure these according to the headings provided.
Terminology
- Fetch
- Swash
- Backwash
- Longshore Drift
- Wave Refraction
- Characteristics of Constructive Waves (including diagram)
- Characteristics of Destructive Waves (including diagram)
Erosional Processes
- Abrasion
- Hydraulic Action
- Attrition
- Corrosion
- Sub-aerial Erosion
- Mass movement
- Dune blowouts
Erosional Landforms
- Wave Cut Notch
- Wave Cut Platform
- Cave
- Arch
- Blow hole
- Stack
Depositional Landforms
- Bay
- Spit
- Tombolo
- Lagoon
- Estuary
- Sand Dune (including a diagram of the different parts of the dune – foredune, parabolic or transgressive dunes, pioneer vegetation, transgressive vegetation)
Resources
YouTube on Longshore Drift
Task 2
Use the Youtube movie below to show you how to create a Google Map. You need to create a map showing two examples around Australia of each of the coastal environments mentioned (rocky, beach, coastal wetland, seagrass and reefs). Include a picture and explanation of these environments.
Explanation – How to Create Google Maps
Extra Resources on Coasts
The BBC Planet Earth series provides an excellent overview of the importance of coasts, particularly when looking at the Biosphere. Below is the Coasts and Reef Barriers series.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
