GCSE (AQA) GEOGRAPHY
PAPER 1 SECTION C
COASTAL LANDSCAPES
FULL NOTES
Coastal Landscapes – Condensed Notes AQA GCSE Geography
, 10.1 WAVES
Constructive:
Swash>Backwash
Low amplitude / Large wavelength
Low frequency
Add sediment to beach (depositional)
Found in calmer weather
Destructive:
Backwash>Swash
High amplitude / Small wavelength
High frequency
Remove sediment from beach (erosional)
Found in stormy weather
Characteristic Constructive Destructive
Amplitude Low High
Wavelength Long Short
Sediment on beach Adds sediment Removes sediment
Frequency Low High
Weather Calm Stormy
Hydraulic action Low High
Energy moves Up beach - swash> Down beach - backwash>
Coastlines (constructive waves) —> Depositional landforms (rocky headlands: tall
cliffs/caves)
Coastlines (destructive waves) —> Long fetch (powerful) —> eroded coast / retreated
Q: What is hydraulic action?
A: Force of waves
Some key definitions:
Fetch – distance the wind blows across the water
Larger fetch = greater wave energy
Swash – energy/sediment moving up the beach
Backwash – energy/sediment moving down the beach
Wavelength – distance from one wave crest to another
Amplitude – height of wave
Add extra notes here:
PAPER 1 SECTION C
COASTAL LANDSCAPES
FULL NOTES
Coastal Landscapes – Condensed Notes AQA GCSE Geography
, 10.1 WAVES
Constructive:
Swash>Backwash
Low amplitude / Large wavelength
Low frequency
Add sediment to beach (depositional)
Found in calmer weather
Destructive:
Backwash>Swash
High amplitude / Small wavelength
High frequency
Remove sediment from beach (erosional)
Found in stormy weather
Characteristic Constructive Destructive
Amplitude Low High
Wavelength Long Short
Sediment on beach Adds sediment Removes sediment
Frequency Low High
Weather Calm Stormy
Hydraulic action Low High
Energy moves Up beach - swash> Down beach - backwash>
Coastlines (constructive waves) —> Depositional landforms (rocky headlands: tall
cliffs/caves)
Coastlines (destructive waves) —> Long fetch (powerful) —> eroded coast / retreated
Q: What is hydraulic action?
A: Force of waves
Some key definitions:
Fetch – distance the wind blows across the water
Larger fetch = greater wave energy
Swash – energy/sediment moving up the beach
Backwash – energy/sediment moving down the beach
Wavelength – distance from one wave crest to another
Amplitude – height of wave
Add extra notes here:
