Coastal landforms

Outline processes leading to the formation of sand dunes.

Figure 5 is in the insert.

Figure 5 shows risk in the year 2100 under different sea level rise and human response scenarios in four types of coastal locations.

Analyse the information shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6 is in the insert.

Figure 6 shows five steps of an integrated flood management plan aimed at reducing risk of coastal flooding.

Using Figure 6 and your own knowledge, assess the sustainability of management strategies in reducing risk of coastal flooding.

With reference to one or more coastal environment(s) that you have studied, analyse factors and processes leading to the development of a high energy, erosional coastal landscape.

Outline the sequence in the development of a sea stack.

Figure 5a and Figure 5b are in the insert.

Figure 5a shows coastal zones of Vietnam.

Figure 5b shows coastal vulnerability due to erosion in Vietnam as a whole and by coastal zone.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 5a and Figure 5b.

Figure 6 is in the insert.

Figure 6 shows some challenges facing West Africa’s coastal resources.

Using Figure 6 and your own knowledge, assess potential approaches to managing this coastal region.

With reference to one or more coastal environments that you have studied, assess the potential impact of climate change on the development of landforms.

Outline factors leading to the formation of fjords.

Figures 5a and 5b are in the insert.

Figure 5a shows geographical variation in the 1992–2014 global sea level change using satellite data.

Figure 5b shows geographical variation in the 1992–2019 global sea level change using another source of satellite data.

Using only Figures 5a and 5b, evaluate the relative usefulness of these sources in demonstrating eustatic sea level change.

Figure 6 is a photograph of part of the Mersey Estuary at Runcorn, Cheshire in 2019.

Note: Runcorn lies about 25 kilometres from the sea on the south bank of the tidal estuary of the River Mersey where the tidal range can be as high as 9 metres. This particular photograph was taken at low tide looking towards the north bank of the estuary. The River Mersey ends its approximately 110 km course in this tidal estuary.

Using Figure 6 and your own knowledge, assess the view that deposition is the most important factor in the development of this landscape.

With reference to a coastal landscape from beyond the UK, assess the role of human intervention in shaping the physical environment.

Outline the role of waves in the transportation of sediments at the coast.

Figure 5 is in the insert.

Figure 5 shows the distribution of coastal erosion and accretion (sediment build up) across selected European coastlines in 2004.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6 is a photograph of a landform located in the Humber Estuary, UK.

Note: This landform extends about 5 km across the Humber Estuary and is only 50 metres wide at its narrowest point. The Holderness coastline to the north comprises mainly boulder clay, which is unconsolidated material deposited at the end of the last ice age.

Using Figure 6 and your own knowledge, assess the relative importance of factors leading to the development of this landform.

To what extent can an understanding of feedback systems help with the management of one or more coastal landscapes that you have studied?

Outline the process of sub-aerial weathering in the development of coastal landscapes.

Figure 5 is in the insert.

Figure 5 shows the isostatic adjustment in 2010 (green arrows) for selected recording stations in Greenland. Information on the 2010 melting day anomaly is also shown.

Analyse the relationship between isostatic adjustment and the 2010 melting day anomaly in Greenland as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6 is a photograph of a coastal feature, taken in Malta in 2017.

Using Figure 6 and your own knowledge, assess the view that rock type is the most important factor in the development of this landscape.

With reference to a coastal environment at a local scale, assess the predicted impact of climate change upon the landscape.

Explain the development of saltmarsh environments.

Figure 5 is in the insert.

Figure 5 shows data related to the distribution of beach erosion and accretion measured from 1984 to 2016. Accretion occurs when more sand is accumulated on beaches than is lost to erosion.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6 is a photograph of a stretch of coastline in the Mahia Peninsula, North Island, New Zealand.

Note: In New Zealand, there is a variety of coastal dune landforms. The dunes in Figure 6 are relatively small shore-parallel foredunes located immediately behind the beach. Dunes can be made up of a variety of surface dune types. They can form hills and ridges which can rise to a hundred metres or more above the shoreline and represent long-term accumulations of large volumes of sand.

Using Figure 6 and your own knowledge, assess the role of vegetation in the development of this landscape.

‘Shoreline management/integrated coastal zone management can effectively tackle the expected eustatic sea level change and associated threat to coastal landscapes over the coming decades.’

To what extent do you agree with this view?

Outline the processes which lead to the development of barrier beaches.

Figure 5, on the insert, is an image of the coast in the vicinity of Chabahar Bay, Iran. The image focuses on the movement of sediment in this area.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6a indicates sea levels relative to land 20 000 years before present. The present day coastline is indicated for comparative purposes. Figure 6b indicates present day sea levels.

Using Figure 6a, Figure 6b and your own knowledge, assess the potential impact of these changes on coastal landform development in this area.

Assess the relative importance of weathering and erosion in the development of coastal landscapes.