Coastal Landforms - Caused by Transportation and Deposition (AQA GCSE Geography): Revision Notes
📚 Revision Notes
3.2.3 Coastal Landforms - Caused by Transportation and Deposition
Longshore Drift
infoNote
Process
infoNote
Deposition is when material being carried by the water is dropped on the coast. It occurs when the water doesn't have enough energy to carry the sediment. Coasts are built up when the amount of deposition is greater than erosion.
Spits, Bars & Tombolos
- Spit
- An extended stretch of sand or shingle jutting out into the sea from the land.
- Spits occur when there is a change in the shape of the landscape or there is a river mouth.
infoNote
Formation of Spits
- Bar
- A bar is formed as above, with the difference being that the spit joins across two headlands.
- Tombolo
- When the spit forms an island connection to the mainland.
Beaches
infoNote
Formation Constructive Waves
- Build up beaches as they have a strong swash and a weak backwash.
- Types of Beaches
- Sandy Beaches:
- 🔗 Found in bays where the water is shallow and waves have less energy.
- Pebble Beaches:
- 🔗 Often form where cliffs are being eroded and where there are higher energy waves.
Sand Dunes
infoNote
Formation
- Development
- Over time, the oldest dunes migrate inland as newer embryo dunes form.
- Mature dunes can grow up to 10 metres tall.