Cliffs and Shore Platforms

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  • Created by: SophiePye
  • Created on: 09-04-19 13:15
Where do wave-cut notches form on a cliff?
Wave cut notches are the undercutting of the cliff that form between high and low tide levels.
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What is the result of continued undercutting?
Continued undercutting weakens support for the rock strata above, which eventually collapses, producing a steep profile and a cliff.
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Define the key term 'strata'.
The layers or beds found in sedimentary rock.
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How do the cliffs retreat?
The cliffs retreat inland and parallel to the coast.
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Name the 3 types of strata.
Horizontally bedded strata, Seaward-dipping strata and Landward-dipping strata.
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Which two types of strata support cliffs with a steep, near vertical profile?
Horizontally bedded and landward dipping strata.
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Explain why shore platforms are deeply dissected by abrasion?
This is due to the large amount of rock debris that is dragged across the surface by wave action.
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What happens to boulder-sized rock debris?
Where rock debris is boulder-sized, it may be too large to be removed by the waves and will accumulate on the platform.
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What impact does friction from the platform have on approaching waves?
Friction from the platform slows down approaching waves, so that they break on the platform rather than at the base of the cliff and so undercutting slows down and eventually ceases.
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What are shore platforms predominantly formed by?
Shore platforms are predominantly formed by Erosion.
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What is important within the development of shore platforms?
Weathering processes are important in their development.
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How can marine organisms, such as algae, accelerate weathering?
They can accelerate weathering when the platform is exposed at low tide. At night, algae release CO2, as photosynthesis is not taking place. The CO2 mixes with sea water, making it more acidic, which results in higher rates of chemical weathering.
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At what point is erosion at its greatest?
As water levels are constant for longest at high and low tide, erosion is greatest at these points.
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At what tide level does a ramp form?
At high tide level.
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At what tidal level does a small cliff form?
At low ride level
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Explain the role of erosion in the formation of shore platforms.
Destructive waves contain large amounts of energy, which helps to remove material from the cliff. When destructive waves break repeatedly on relatively steeply sloping coastlines, undercutting can occur which forms a wave-cut notch.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is the result of continued undercutting?

Back

Continued undercutting weakens support for the rock strata above, which eventually collapses, producing a steep profile and a cliff.

Card 3

Front

Define the key term 'strata'.

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

How do the cliffs retreat?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Name the 3 types of strata.

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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