AQA · A-Level · Geography
Course version: 7037 · Version from Sept 2018
Origin and development of landforms and landscapes of coastal deposition.…
Full specification wording
Coastal landscape development: Origin and development of landforms and landscapes of coastal deposition. Beaches, simple and compound spits, tombolos, offshore bars, barrier beaches and islands and sand dunes; factors and processes in their development.
Coastal deposition occurs when wave energy decreases, allowing sediment to accumulate.
Checked against the AQA 7037 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 6
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Coastal deposition occurs when wave energy decreases, allowing sediment to accumulate. Beaches form in sheltered bays via constructive waves. Longshore drift transports sediment along the coast; where the coastline changes direction, simple spits extend into the sea, while compound spits feature multiple recurved laterals. If a spit connects the mainland to an island, a tombolo forms. Offshore bars develop parallel to the coast where waves break early, whereas barrier beaches and islands are larger, permanent ridges sheltering lagoons. Sand dunes form onshore as wind blows dry sand inland, trapped by obstacles and stabilised by vegetation like marram grass. Factors include sediment supply, wave type, and tidal range.
What earns the marks
- Explain the role of longshore drift in the formation of simple and compound spits, including the development of recurved ends.
- Differentiate between offshore bars, barrier beaches, and barrier islands in terms of their formation and location.
- Describe the process of aeolian transport and vegetation succession in the formation and stabilisation of sand dunes.
- Assess how factors such as sediment supply, wave energy, and coastal configuration influence depositional landforms.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming spits only form across river estuaries.
Put it right: Spits can form wherever there is a sudden change in the direction of the coastline, not just at estuaries.
Using the terms barrier beach and offshore bar interchangeably.
Put it right: Offshore bars are submerged or semi-submerged ridges where waves break, whereas barrier beaches are usually above high tide and enclose a lagoon.
Forgetting the role of wind in coastal deposition.
Put it right: Explicitly mention aeolian processes when discussing the formation and development of sand dunes.
Exam tips
- Clearly distinguish between simple spits and compound spits by mentioning the multiple recurved laterals and complex history of compound spits.
- Use annotated diagrams to illustrate the process of longshore drift and the resulting formation of a tombolo or spit.
- Discuss the concept of sediment cells and how a disruption in sediment supply can alter the development of depositional landforms.
Try the lesson
The start of the Coastal landscape development: Origin and development of landforms and landscapes of coastal deposition. Beaches, simple and compound spits, tombolos, offshore bars, barrier beaches and islands and sand dunes; factors and processes in their development. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which description best defines a tombolo in a coastal landscape?
Listen
Coastal deposition occurs when wave energy decreases, allowing sediment to accumulate. Beaches form in sheltered bays via constructive waves. Longshore drift transports sediment along the coast; where the coastline changes direction, simple spits extend into the sea, while compound spits feature multiple recurved laterals. If a spit connects the mainland to an island, a tombolo forms. Offshore bars develop parallel to the coast where waves break early, whereas barrier beaches and islands are larger, permanent ridges sheltering lagoons. Sand dunes form onshore as wind blows dry sand inland, trapped by obstacles and stabilised by vegetation like marram grass. Factors include sediment supply, wave type, and tidal range. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain the role of longshore drift in the formation of simple and compound spits, including the development of recurved ends. Differentiate between offshore bars, barrier beaches, and barrier islands in terms of their formation and location. Describe the process of aeolian transport and vegetation succession in the formation and stabilisation of sand dunes. Assess how factors such as sediment supply, wave energy, and coastal configuration influence depositional landforms. Exam tip: Clearly distinguish between simple spits and compound spits by mentioning the multiple recurved laterals and complex history of compound spits.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Coastal deposition
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Longshore drift
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Sand dunes
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Coastal deposition
- Occurs when wave energy decreases, allowing sediment to accumulate.
- Longshore drift
- Transports sediment along the coast; where the coastline changes direction, simple spits extend into the sea.
- Sand dunes
- Form onshore as wind blows dry sand inland, trapped by obstacles and stabilised by vegetation like marram grass.
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