Waves and Cliffs Aim: to understand different types of waves and how cliffs disappear
• http://whs.moodledo.co.uk/file.php/1365/Coastal%20Systems/Wave%20Motion.swf
• http://www.curriculumbits.com/prodimages/details/geography/geo0003.html
Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools
Constructive Waves
Spilling Breaker
Powerful SwashWeak Backwash
Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools
Destructive Waves
Crashing breaker
Weak swash
Powerful Backwash
Constructive and Destructive Waves
• Copy the 2 diagrams and label the keywords. Keywords: Strong Backwash, Coastline, Strong
swash, Weak swash, Weak Backwash, build up and deposit sediment, beach eroded, Coastline.
• EXT: Which beach would you sunbathe on and why?
Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools
Joints and beds allowwaves to attack the cliff
more easily
Waves can use rocks to erode the cliff
Wave cut platform
Wave cut notch
Cliff line
HIGH TIDE LEVEL
Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools
The force of the waves pushes air into cracks in the rock
The compressed air exerts enormous pressure at the tip of the crack. As the water falls back the air pressure is released and rock is pulled out from the crack further enlarging the hole.
Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools
Wave-cut platform Wave built terrace
large angular rocks rocks and pebblessoft sand
Ouch!