Lab 9: Oceans & Coastal Systems GEOG 1113L –
Introduction to Landforms Lab Name:
I. How the Coast Works
1. What area is considered the shore?
The area between low and high tide
2. Describe the type of area that is required for a beach to form. It
needs to be a sheltered environment, ex: a bay
3. Beaches require constructive waves, which are defined as what?
Swash
4. What is longshore drift?
A geological process responsible for transporting sediments
5. What is the difference between attrition and abrasion?
Attrition: when rocks strike together
Abrasion: when rocks rub together
6. What artificial barrier do humans use to protect the coast from
high tide? riprap
7. What barrier is used to protect against longshore drift?
groynes
, II. Coastal Systems
This activity can be completed with the use of the USGS website links
provided. Do not copy and paste the information from the websites – if
you do, you will fail the assignment. Respond to each question in your
own words.
Go to the link http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/c1075/agencies.html and
review the list of federal organizations with regulatory or research
responsibilities for our coasts to answer the following questions.
Provide both the agency’s acronym and entire name for full credit.
1. Which federal organization administers NFIP?
Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA
2. NFIP is an acronym which stands for what? National Flood
Insurance Program
3. Which federal organization regulates the discharge of coastal
pollutants and the disposal of dredged sediments?
Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA
4. Which federal organization conducts applied research and
development for design, construction, operation, and
maintenance activities related to harbors, navigational waterways,
and coastal protection?
United States Army Corps of Engineers, or USACE
5. Which federal organization manages extensive coastal lands as
wildlife preserves; conducts research on coastal wetlands, fish and
wildlife populations, and changes in habitat? United States Fish
and Wildlife Service, or USFWS
6. Critical thinking: Which federal organization would be responsible
for reviewing engineering plans for a dam on a river?
United States Army Corps of Engineers, or USACE
Now go to the link http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/c1075/types.html and
review the four types of coasts listed there. Answer the following