New
New
Landforms of coastal deposition
I can describe the characteristics and formation of landforms of coastal deposition.
Lesson 5 of 9
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
Landforms of coastal deposition
I can describe the characteristics and formation of landforms of coastal deposition.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Beaches have distinctive characteristics and formation.
- Spits and bars have distinctive characteristics and formation.
- Sand dunes have distinctive characteristics and formation.
Keywords
Deposition - material, such as sand and pebbles, is dropped by waves, wind, or water when they lose energy
Longshore drift - movement of sediment along the coast by wave action in a zigzag pattern
Constructive waves - low waves, typically formed by distant storms, that deposit sediment onto beaches
Common misconception
Coastal deposition happens with strong powerful waves.
Deposition happens in areas with low-energy waves, such as bays or sheltered areas, where waves lose energy and can no longer carry their load of sediment.
The lesson in this unit called 'Using GIS to visualise the impact of physical and human processes on coasts' could be used to extend this lesson.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Beaches are made from ...
Beaches are made from ...
only sand.
sand and pebbles.
Q2.Match the term with its description.
Match the term with its description.
Q3. is the process when material is laid down or added to a landform.
is the process when material is laid down or added to a landform.
Q4.Which of the following are landforms created by coastal erosion?
Which of the following are landforms created by coastal erosion?
hydraulic action
abrasion
Q5.Constructive waves have ...
Constructive waves have ...
a strong swash and weak backwash.
a strong swash and strong backwash.
a weak backwash and a weak swash.
Q6.The movement of sediment along the coast by wave action in a zigzag pattern is known as ...
The movement of sediment along the coast by wave action in a zigzag pattern is known as ...
constructive drift.
destructive drift.
shortshore drift.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which coastal landforms are created by deposition?
Which coastal landforms are created by deposition?
headlands
Q2.Beach profiles are steeper and beaches are narrower in the winter due to more __________ waves.
Beach profiles are steeper and beaches are narrower in the winter due to more __________ waves.
constructive
longshore
Q3.Spits are created by longshore drift. Put these statements, describing the process, in the correct order.
Spits are created by longshore drift. Put these statements, describing the process, in the correct order.
Q4.Bars form when longshore drift moves sediment across a ...
Bars form when longshore drift moves sediment across a ...
tombolo.
spit.
Q5.Sand need a flat beach, plenty of sand, a wide tidal range, onshore winds and obstacles to form.
Sand need a flat beach, plenty of sand, a wide tidal range, onshore winds and obstacles to form.
Q6.Sand dunes form when wind blows sand onto the land, and plants like marram stabilise the sand, trapping more sediment and allowing the dune to grow over time.
Sand dunes form when wind blows sand onto the land, and plants like marram stabilise the sand, trapping more sediment and allowing the dune to grow over time.
