Coastal Processes Quiz

What is longshore drift?

• The movement of water directly away from the shore

• The movement of water in a circular motion

• The movement of sediment along the coast by wave action

• The sinking of land due to excessive water removal

What causes spit formation?

• The deposition of sediment in calm water

• The erosion of cliffs by waves

• The movement of glaciers

• The construction of man-made barriers

Which of the following is NOT a type of erosion?

• Hydraulic action

• Attrition

• Deposition

• Abrasion

What is swash?

• The backward movement of water down a beach

• The forward movement of water up a beach

• The circular movement of water in the open sea

• The movement of water in rivers

What is backwash?

• The forward movement of water up a beach

• The backward movement of water down a beach

• The circular movement of water in the open sea

• The movement of water in rivers

Which type of wave contributes most to longshore drift?

• Constructive waves

• Destructive waves

• Tsunami waves

• Tidal waves

What is the primary factor that influences the direction of longshore drift?

• The moon's gravitational pull

• The direction of the prevailing wind

• The temperature of the water

• The salinity of the water

What happens when the swash is stronger than the backwash?

• More erosion occurs

• More deposition occurs

• The beach disappears

• The sea level rises

What role does backwash play in the formation of a beach?

• It deposits more sand on the beach

• It helps to flatten the beach

• It creates dunes

• It transports sediment away from the beach

How do waves form?

• The gravitational pull of the sun and moon

• Wind blowing across the surface of the water

• Movements of the Earth's crust

• Changes in water temperature