Outline the processes which lead to the development of barrier beaches.
- AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 3
Outline the processes which lead to the development of barrier beaches.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Outline the processes which lead to the development of barrier beaches.
- AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Formation of a Barrier Beach
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Answer
A barrier beach usually forms as an extension to a spit. The longshore drift moves sediment along the coastline until there is a change in the coastline. Initially, a spit develops, usually in a bay, and once it grows across the whole bay, a barrier beach forms.
Step 2
Estuarine Dynamics
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Barrier beaches are unlikely to form in estuaries as the incoming flow of freshwater will always keep part of the estuary clear.
Step 3
Stabilization by Vegetation
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Colonization by vegetation can stabilize the barrier beach and trap further sediment, helping to keep the barrier beach above sea even at high tide.
Step 4
Role of Climate
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Depending upon the climate, the landward side may be colonized by mangroves in the still lagoon, which adds further stability to the barrier.
