US Coastal Landforms Quiz
Barrier islands, estuaries, deltas, cliffs, beaches (10 questions).
US Coastal Landforms Quiz: Quick Study Notes
The coastline of the United States is a study in contrasts, ranging from the delicate, shifting sands of Atlantic barrier islands to the dramatic, tectonic cliffs of the Pacific. This quiz explores the geological mechanisms—erosion, deposition, and plate tectonics—that create these distinct environments.
Key Takeaways
- Passive Margins: The Atlantic and Gulf coasts are passive margins, favoring sandy beaches and barrier islands.
- Active Margins: The Pacific coast is tectonically active, creating rocky cliffs and marine terraces.
- Delta Formation: Deltas form when rivers deposit sediment faster than waves can remove it.
- Erosion Features: Sea stacks, arches, and caves are carved by wave energy on rocky headlands.
- Dynamic Systems: Coastal landforms are constantly changing due to tides, storms, and sea-level rise.
What is the difference between an estuary and a delta?
A delta is a landform created by sediment building outwards into the ocean, while an estuary is a water body where a river meets the sea, creating a brackish mixing zone. Some rivers have both.
Why are barrier islands important?
They act as a buffer against ocean storms and waves, protecting the mainland coast, wetlands, and lagoons behind them from severe erosion.
Where are the most prominent sea cliffs in the US?
The most dramatic sea cliffs are found on the West Coast (California, Oregon, Washington) and Hawaii, due to uplift and wave erosion on active continental margins.
How is a sea stack formed?
A sea stack forms when wave erosion hollows out a headland to form a cave, then an arch. Eventually, the roof of the arch collapses, leaving an isolated pillar of rock.
What creates the shape of a river delta?
The shape (e.g., bird-foot, arcuate) depends on the balance between the river’s sediment supply and the strength of ocean waves and tides dispersing that sediment.
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