NAME: unknown

SUBJECT: Geography

CLASS: 11 Arts

TEACHER: unknown

Table of ContentContent Page

Introduction i

Acknowledgement ii

Aim of Study 1

Statement of Problem 2

Location of Study Area 3

Map of Jamaica 4

Map of Hanover 5

Map showing location of study area 6

Method of Data Collection 7

Waves 8

Processes of Erosion by Waves 9

Destructive Waves 10

Features formed by Destructive Waves

Headland 11

Arch 12

Cave 13

Blowhole 14

Stack 15

Inlet 16

Wave-cut Platform 17

Cliff 18

Constructive Wave 19

Feature formed by Constructive Waves

Beach 20

Presentation and Interpretation of Data 21

Conclusion 22

Appendix 23

Questionnaire 24

Glossary 25

Bibliography 26

Check List 27

Wind and water changes the shoreline. The waves of the ocean change the shape of the

land. This project highlights the numerous land forms created by wave action along the Rusea’s

coastline. Relevant information is presented along with the use of photographs to give the reader

a visual illustration of features formed along the coastline. It is the researcher’s intention that

readers will find the project informative and easy to grasp.

The successful completion of this study would not have been possible without the

assistance and cooperation of a number of persons. Thanks to Ms. unknown my geography

teacher who shared her knowledge and helping me to complete this project, my cousin

Wendolyn who was generous to type my S.B.A., Nicholas Brown, Alisha Whitmore, Veronica

Buchanan, Doneka Campbell and most of all god who gave me the strength to complete this

project and making it a success.

The aim of the researcher is to find and highlight the effects of wave action along the

Rusea’s coastline.

To investigate the effects wave action has on the Rusea’s coastline.

The area chosen for field study was conducted along the Rusea’s coastline Campus 1. It

is located in the parish of Hanover (See map 2). It is situated on Watson Taylor Drive west of the

parish capital Lucea. It is between the town of Lucea and the community of Copper Wood.

The researcher used the questionnaire and observation method to collect relevant data

which was used in the S.B.A. Photographs of the coastline features were taken during the

month of November by schoolmates of the researcher which was also used in the S.B.A.

The questionnaire is consisted of three closed ended questions. During the month of

November questionnaires were distributed to ten persons living in the range of the

Rusea’s coastline who were randomly selected. Observation was done using a check list

and sketch diagrams. Secondary sources were also consulted for relevant data, example:

internet and textbook.

What is a wave?

A wave is a circular movement of water caused by the energy of the wind along the

surface of the water. Various features are formed due to the erosion and deposition.

There are two types of waves:

Destructive Waves

Constructive Waves

There are four main processes by which waves can erode the land. These are:

Hydraulic Action

This is the mechanical loosening and removal of materials by the force of the

waves.

Corrasion

This results from large waves hurling beach materials against the cliff.

Attrition

This is the process by which rock fragments are broken up along the coast by

impact or by sticking along each other.

Corrosion

This is the removal of minerals such as chalk and limestone from the coastline.

A destructive wave is one of a series of waves which follow each other in very rapid

succession, at the rate of about ten to fifteen per minute. The backwash is much stronger than the

swash.

Features formed by destructive waves:

Headland

Arch

Cave

Blowhole

Stack

Inlet

Cliff

Wave-cut Platform

This is an area of highland jotting out into the sea. The destructive waves erode the less

resistant part of the rock leaving the more resistant rock which remains as headland as shown in

the photograph below.

Arches are relatively temporary features formed by the erosion of a headland which

eventually meet and break through. It has a tunnel- like shape as shown in the picture below.

Cave develops along a line of weakness at the base of a cliff which has been subjected to

prolong wave action. The alternate compression and expansion of the air in the cracks enlarges

them resulting into caves. A cave is a cylindrical tunnel which extends into the cliff as shown in

the photograph below.

This is a coastal feature formed by the erosive processes of corrasion and hydraulic

action. The roof of a cave is eroded, which air and water is forced up through, as shown in the

photograph below.

A stack is a residual feature formed when marine erosion attacks a headland. When

there is further erosion to an arc this cause the arch to collapse, the end of the headland

stand up as a stack. This is an isolated pillow of rock standing up from the seabed close to the

shore as shown in the photograph below.

Destructive waves erode the weaker or less resistant parts of a rock forming an inlet. It

forms a U- shape where water flows through as shown in the photograph below.

A Cliff is a high and steep rock face locateed along the sea coast. This is a highland area

that is undercut by erosive waves. The lower section of the rock is eroded forming an

overhanging cliff, as shown in the photograph below.

Cliff

Wave cut platforms are subjected to salt weathering and process of erosion such as

hydraulic action and abrasion. This is a very gentle sloping platform extending seawards from

the base of a cliff. Platforms widen as the cliff retreat as shown in the photograph below.

A constructive wave is one of a series of waves which moves gently inwards the coast at

the rate of six to eight a minute. Constructive waves have a powerful swash but a much weaker

backwash. Due to this material is deposited on the beach helping it to build up.

Feature formed by constructive waves:

Beach

The action of construction wave deposits pebbles, sand and mud, which, when deposited

along a coast form a gently sloping land form called a beach.

The material of which a beach is composed is transported along a coast by long -shore drift.

Sandy beaches are produced from soft sandstone which has been deposited, as shown in the

photograph below.

Presentation and interpretation

Chart Showing Responses of Questionnaire

Figure one is a pie chart illustrating the percentages gained from question two of the

questionnaire(see appendix). 60% of the individuals questioned stated that the sea was roughest

during June to November. This is due to the fact that the Hurricane Season is normally expected

during this time of year. 30% stated during December to January and the remaining 10%

responded that during February to May the sea was the roughest.

The researcher has concluded that the Rusea’s coastline is changing and has been eroded

mainly by destructive waves. After an entensive observation the researcher discovered that the

action of waves on the coast results in various land forms. The erosion and deposition caused by

waves form: headlands, arcs, inlets, cliffs, stacks, wave-cut platforms, caves and beaches.

Questionnaire

Instuction: Please answer the following questions appropriately and give a small tick

where applicable in the boxes to indicate your response.

1. How often do you visit the coastline?

Once per weekTwice per weekThree times per week

2. What time during the year the sea gets the roughest?

Jun-NovDec-JanFeb-May

3. Have you noticed ant changes along the coast?

YesNo

Coast- A zone or strip of land extending from the coastline, which borders the sea to where the

land and rises inland.

Backwash- The receding of waves from the shore after a swash.

Swash- The movement of the wave towards the shore.

Long-shore drift-The deposition of materials along a beach.

Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2003.

Rahil, Vohn A.M. New Caribbean Georaphy 1984. Caribbean Educational Publisher.

R.B. Bunett, S.Bc. General Geography in Diagram 2003.Longman.

Garrett Nagle Advancd Geography 2000.Oxford

Features Yes NoHeadland

ArchCliffCaveStackWave-cut platformInletBeachStumpBayBlow holeCove