Beaches: Formation, Processes, and Characteristics

Question 1

Which of these factors is **NOT** a direct contributor to beach formation?

Accepted Answer

Climate

Answer

Wave energy

Answer

Sediment supply

Answer

Longshore drift

Question 2

Which primary factor contributes to the formation of beaches?

Accepted Answer

Wave energy

Answer

Tidal currents

Answer

Erosion

Answer

Longshore drift

Question 3

Longshore drift is the process of sediment movement alongside a shoreline. What drives this process?

Accepted Answer

Waves approaching at an angle

Answer

Strong winds parallel to the coast

Answer

Rising sea levels

Answer

Gravitational forces

Question 4

Climate change poses several threats to coastal areas. Which of the following is a primary concern for beaches?

Accepted Answer

Increased erosion

Answer

Loss of habitat

Answer

Water pollution

Answer

Coastal flooding

Question 5

Beach protection strategies aim to mitigate erosion and preserve coastal environments. Which of the following is NOT a common method used?

Accepted Answer

Mining sand

Answer

Groynes

Answer

Seawalls

Answer

Dunes

Question 6

Dunes are crucial coastal landforms that play a vital role in protecting against natural hazards. What is their primary function?

Accepted Answer

Buffering against storm surges

Answer

Trapping sediments and building beaches

Answer

Providing habitat for coastal plants and animals

Answer

Absorbing wave energy

Question 7

Waves breaking on a beach can be categorized based on their energy and impact. Which type of wave is characterized by its high energy and ability to erode beaches?

Accepted Answer

Plunging waves

Answer

Constructive waves

Answer

Refracted waves

Answer

Spilling waves

Question 8

Explain the crucial role of sediment supply in the formation and ongoing maintenance of beaches, considering its sources and the potential impacts of human activities.

Accepted Answer

Human activities like dam construction and coastal engineering can disrupt sediment supply, harming beach ecosystems.

Answer

Sediment supply is essential for beach formation but plays a limited role in their maintenance.

Answer

Beaches can persist with minimal sediment supply due to natural processes that compensate for deficiencies.

Answer

Sediment deposition on beaches primarily occurs during major storms, with minimal accumulation during regular wave conditions.

Question 9

Which process is primarily responsible for the formation of longshore bars?

Accepted Answer

Longshore drift

Answer

Wave refraction

Answer

Tidal currents

Answer

Erosion

Question 10

Which type of beach is characterized by a steep slope, coarse-grained sand, and a lack of dunes?

Accepted Answer

Erosional beach

Answer

Pocket beach

Answer

Headland beach

Answer

Accretionary beach

Question 11

Coastal erosion is primarily caused by:

Accepted Answer

Wave action

Answer

Overgrazing

Answer

Deforestation

Answer

Wind erosion

Question 12

Which type of wave creates the greatest erosive force on a beach?

Accepted Answer

Plunging wave

Answer

Spilling wave

Answer

Refracted wave

Answer

Surging wave

Question 13

In the longshore current system, the primary agent of sediment transport is:

Accepted Answer

Sand

Answer

Cobbles

Answer

Driftwood

Answer

Boulders

Question 14

Which type of beach is formed by the deposition of sediment at the mouth of a river?

Accepted Answer

Delta beach

Answer

Spit beach

Answer

Tombolo beach

Answer

Barrier beach

Question 15

A dissipative beach is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Wide, gently sloping beach with fine-grained sand

Answer

Crescent-shaped beach with a pocket beach

Answer

Beach with a prominent headland

Answer

Narrow, steep beach with coarse-grained sand

Question 16

Which coastal process is responsible for transporting sediment along a beach?

Accepted Answer

Longshore drift

Answer

Deposition

Answer

Erosion

Answer

Accretion

Question 17

Which type of beach is characterized by a steep slope, coarse sediment, and strong wave action?

Accepted Answer

Reflective beach

Answer

Accretionary beach

Answer

Dissipative beach

Answer

Intermediate beach

Question 18

What is a primary benefit of beaches to coastal communities?

Accepted Answer

Tourism and recreation

Answer

Carbon sequestration

Answer

Flood protection

Answer

Mineral extraction

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a type of wave that affects beaches?

Accepted Answer

Seismic wave

Answer

Refraction wave

Answer

Destructive wave

Answer

Constructive wave

Question 20

Which of the following is the correct sequence of processes involved in beach formation?

Accepted Answer

Erosion, transportation, deposition

Answer

Deposition, erosion, transportation

Answer

Transportation, deposition, erosion

Question 21

Which of the following factors influences the color of beach sand?

Accepted Answer

Mineral composition

Answer

Grain size

Answer

Wave height

Answer

Tidal range

Question 22

What is the process by which sediment is transported along the beach in a zigzag pattern?

Accepted Answer

Longshore drift

Answer

Beach nourishment

Answer

Erosion

Answer

Accretion

Question 23

Which of the following is an ecosystem service provided by beaches?

Accepted Answer

Coastal protection

Answer

Transportation

Answer

Carbon sequestration

Answer

Food production