Summary
Coastal environments offer both opportunities and risks for human populations, with economic benefits like tourism and trade, but also hazards such as erosion and tropical storms.
- Coastal Tourism — Economic activity involving travel to coastal areas for leisure. Example: Spain's Costa del Sol attracts millions of tourists annually.
- Ports and Shipping — Natural locations for international trade and transport. Example: Singapore's container port handles millions of shipping containers each year.
- Coastal Erosion — The wearing away of land by wave action. Example: The Holderness Coast in England loses approximately 2 meters per year.
- Longshore Drift — Zigzag movement of sediment along a coast caused by angled waves. Example: Formation of spits like Spurn Head in the UK.
- Tropical Storms — Intense low-pressure systems with high winds and rainfall. Example: Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar caused over 138,000 deaths.
Exam Tips
Key Definitions to Remember
- Coastal Tourism
- Ports and Shipping
- Coastal Erosion
- Longshore Drift
- Tropical Storms
Common Confusions
- Mixing up types of coastal erosion processes
- Confusing longshore drift with tidal movements
Typical Exam Questions
- What are the economic benefits of coastal tourism? Tourism generates jobs and foreign currency.
- How does longshore drift contribute to the formation of a spit? Sediment is deposited as waves move at an angle.
- What are the impacts of tropical storms on coastal areas? High winds and flooding cause property damage and loss of life.
What Examiners Usually Test
- Understanding of coastal processes like erosion and deposition
- Ability to explain economic opportunities and hazards of coasts
- Knowledge of real-world examples and case studies