geo chapter 15

What is a beach?

a gently sloping fringe of sediment along a shore

A coast that grows seaward as a result of regular sedimentation is a(n) __________.

accretionary coast

Structures—like jetties, groins, and breakwaters—that are designed to prevent beach erosion __________.

are temporary solutions that decrease beach erosion in some places and increase it in others

A(n) __________ is a type of offshore sand bar that forms due to abundant sediment supply and sits above the mean high water level.

barrier island

Swamps and marshes are examples of __________.

coastal wetlands

Because of wave refraction, erosion along an irregular coastline is ________.

concentrated along the headlands

Sediment supply cannot keep up with the rate at which waves and currents wash it away along a(n) ______ coast.

erosional

When the sea level rises, an ocean may flood a former river valley, producing a nearshore body of water of mixed and variable salinity termed a(n) ________.

estuary

Global climate change is causing sea level rise around the globe. This is an example of ______ sea level rise.

eustatic

A coral reef would MOST likely be found

in the shallow waters surrounding a tropical volcanic island

Along beaches, groins have ________.

increased erosion rates immediately down-current from the groin

Which of the following is true of beach nourishment as a solution to coastal erosion?

it is costly and only provides a temporary solution to coastal erosion

Which of the following can result in eustatic sea level rise?

melting of glaciers and ice sheets

As waves approach the shore, they ________.

refract so as to impact the shore in a nearly parallel manner

Which of the following features is characteristic of a rocky coast?

sea stacks

Which of the following is the BEST example of an organic coast?

shallow coral reef

Beaches are constantly moving in the direction of ________.

the longshore current

In shallow water, waves become breakers because________________.

The base of the wave is slowed by friction with the seafloor, but the top is not

Which of the following scenarios is most likely to result in an emergent coast?

uplift associated with active margin tectonics