O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/13 · Oct/Nov 2011 · Q325 Marks

Study Photographs A, B, C and D (Insert), which show different types of coastal landform. Which photograph is of a coastal landform formed by erosion?

(a)(i)Study Photographs A, B, C and D (Insert), which show different types of coastal landform. Which photograph is of a coastal landform formed by erosion?[1]
(a)(ii)Match Photographs A, B, C and D to each of the following coastal landforms by completing Table 1 below. Landform: beach headland marsh sand dunes Photograph:[2]
(a)(iii)Describe the conditions which are required for the development of coastal marsh.[3]
(a)(iv)Explain the formation of coastal sand dunes.[4]
(b)(i)Study Fig. 5, showing constructive and destructive waves. Describe three differences between constructive and destructive waves.[3]
(b)(ii)Explain how corrasion, corrosion and hydraulic action may erode an area of coastline.[5]
(c)Describe the impacts of a natural hazard on a named coastal area which you have studied. Hazard Named coastal area[7]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2011). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] C
[2] A = sand dunes
B = beach
C = headland
D = marsh
1 mark for 2 or 3 correct
2 marks for all 4 correct
[3] Ideas such as:
sheltered area of water;
slow flowing/not much current;
tidal area/in between high and low tide;
large amounts of sediment,
flat land etc.
[4] Ideas such as:
winds blow sand;
deposition by wind;
obstruction on beach/pebble/seaweed;
sand builds up over time/process repeats itself;
marram grass colonizes dunes;
[3] Differences such as:
Constructive waves have longer wavelength/are longer;
Constructive waves are lower/destructive are higher;
Constructive waves deposit but destructive ones erode/destructive waves cause more erosion;
Constructive waves less powerful;
Constructive waves break less frequently/6–8 per minute compared with 9 and over per minute;
Constructive waves more swash;
destructive waves have more backwash etc.
[5] Corrasion – particles carried by the waves crash against the cliffs;
sandpaper action erodes the cliffs (dev)
Corrosion - Acids/chemicals in the seawater slowly dissolves the cliffs;
and carries it away by the process of solution (dev)
Hydraulic Action – Waves create pressure as they break against the cliffs;
trap air in cracks in the rock (dev);
which is compressed by the waves causing them to crack (dev)
One mark reserved on each erosional process
[7] Level 1 (1-3 marks)
Statements including limited detail describing impacts of a natural hazard on a coastal area.
(e.g. damage to housing, collapse of cliffs, floods, death/injury, costs a lot to repair etc.)
Level 2 (4–6 marks)
Uses named example
More developed statements describing impacts of a natural hazard on a coastal area.
(e.g. people have to relocate as houses are damaged/lost; tsunamis can cause coastal flooding, collapse of cliffs can put off tourists, large costs of damage makes it difficult to insure, deaths/injuries from drowning in high waves etc.)
(NB MAX 5 if no named example)
Level 3 (7 marks)
Uses named example (e.g. Hurricane – New Orleans).
Comprehensive and accurate statements, including some place specific reference.
(e.g. Hurricane Katrina made landfall on 25th August 2005 killing 1836 people. The Superdome at New Orleans was used as a refugee camp for people who were homeless as a result of having to evacuate their flooded homes; flooded roads made it difficult for people to escape from the area. etc.)