Coastal processes Quiz

What is coastal erosion?

• The wearing away of the land by the sea

• The formation of new land by the sea

• The creation of waves by the sea

• The deposition of sand by the sea

Answer explanation

The wearing away of the land by the sea

Which type of erosion involves the sheer power of waves smashing against the cliff?

• Abrasion

• Attrition

• Solution

• Hydraulic action

Answer explanation

Hydraulic action involves the sheer power of waves smashing against the cliff, making it the correct choice for this type of erosion.

What happens during abrasion?

• Rocks carried by the sea knock against each other

• Sea water dissolves certain types of rocks

• Pebbles grind along a rock platform, making the rock smooth

• Air becomes trapped in the cracks in the rock

Answer explanation

Pebbles grind along a rock platform, making the rock smooth

Which type of erosion involves rocks carried by the sea knocking against each other?

• Hydraulic action

• Abrasion

• Attrition

• Solution

Answer explanation

Attrition involves rocks carried by the sea knocking against each other, causing them to break down into smaller pieces. This process is known as attrition.

What type of erosion occurs when sea water dissolves certain types of rocks?

• Hydraulic action

• Abrasion

• Attrition

• Solution

Answer explanation

Sea water dissolving certain types of rocks is known as solution erosion.

Which factor increases the erosive energy of a wave?

• Shorter wave fetch

• Longer wave fetch

• Lower wave fetch

• Higher wave fetch

Answer explanation

A longer wave fetch increases the erosive energy of a wave by allowing the wave to travel over a greater distance, picking up more energy along the way.

How do beaches affect wave energy?

• Beaches increase wave energy

• Beaches dissipate wave energy

• Beaches have no effect on wave energy

• Beaches concentrate wave energy

Answer explanation

Beaches dissipate wave energy

What is the effect of a consistent supply of new beach material by longshore drift?

• It increases the rate of cliff recession

• It helps preserve the beach

• It has no effect on the beach

• It decreases the rate of wave energy

Answer explanation

A consistent supply of new beach material by longshore drift helps preserve the beach by replenishing sand lost to erosion and maintaining the beach's size and shape.

How does vegetation cover affect cliffs?

• It makes cliffs more resistant to recession

• It makes cliffs less resistant to recession

• It has no effect on cliffs

• It increases the rate of cliff erosion

Answer explanation

Vegetation cover makes cliffs more resistant to recession by stabilizing the soil and reducing erosion caused by wind and water.

What impact does a large amount of surface run off and infiltration have on cliffs?

• It decreases the rate of cliff recession

• It has no effect on cliff recession

• It increases the rate of cliff recession

• It stabilizes the cliff material

Answer explanation

Surface run off and infiltration increase the rate of cliff recession by eroding the cliff material and destabilizing it.