O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/13 · Oct/Nov 2018 · Q425 Marks

(a) Study Fig. 4.1 (Insert), which shows some countries where coastal erosion and deposition occur in Europe, along with Fig. 4.2 (Insert) which is a photograph showing a coastline shaped by erosion.

(a)(i)What is meant by coastal erosion?[1]
(a)(ii)Using evidence from Fig. 4.1 only, explain why coastal erosion occurs at X but coastal deposition occurs at Y.[2]
(a)(iii)Describe the main features of the cliff and wave-cut platform shown in Fig. 4.2.[3]
(a)(iv)Explain how the wave-cut platform shown in Fig. 4.2 was formed by coastal erosion.[4]
(b)Study Fig. 4.3, which shows methods of protecting coasts from erosion, along with Fig. 4.4 (Insert), which shows an area where a cliff has collapsed. [Figure 4.3]
(b)(i)Describe any three of the methods of coastal protection which are labelled in Fig. 4.3. [Table with columns: Method of coastal protection, Description][3]
(b)(ii)Choose one method which you think should be used to protect the coastline shown in Fig. 4.4 from erosion. You can refer to any method of coastal protection, including those in Fig. 4.3. Justify your choice of method.[5]
(c)For a named area of coast you have studied, describe the natural hazards faced by people. Name of area of coast ..............................................[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 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] Wearing/breaking away of the land/coast by the sea/waves;
[2] X is exposed to (prevailing) winds/waves will be large/fetch will be long; Y is sheltered/protected/blocked by land; etc.; 2 @ 1 mark
[3] Cliff/wave cut platform: Sedimentary rock/layers; Stepped appearance; Grey/(light) brown; Cliff: Steep/vertical; Wave cut platform: Flat/gently sloping; Note: No reserve on cliff/wave cut platform; 3 @ 1 mark
[4] Ideas such as: High tide/storm; Undercutting/erosion at base/notch forms Hydraulic action (or description) Corrasion/abrasion (or description); Cliff collapses/becomes unstable; Cliff retreats; Wave cut platform remains/base of previous cliff; etc.; 4 @ 1 mark
[3] Seawall = concrete/manmade/stone wall built to cover cliff/in front of coast/town; Revetment = wood/steel/concrete panels/slats at 45 degree angle/at an angle at base of cliff/in front of coast; Groyne = wooden/concrete extension from beach into/downwards into sea/at right angles; Beach nourishment = putting sand/pebble/rocks on a beach/artificially adding sand at intervals to the beach; Rock armour = big/heavy/granite rocks placed at base of cliff/coast/in front of sea wall; Gabion = Cages/boxes containing rocks/concrete/sand at base of cliff/coast; 3 @ 1 mark
[5] No mark for choice of method. Marks for justification which could be combination of advantages of chosen method and reasons for rejection of others. e.g. groynes: Will prevent the beach being washed away; By trapping sand (dev); The wider beach will reduce the power of the waves; And the groynes will also act as breakwaters; Revetments would only protect the base of the cliff; Long term/short term; Cheaper/expensive; Ugly/attractive; etc.; 5 @ 1 mark or development
[7] Content Guide: Answers are likely to refer to: Erosion; Coastal flooding; Tropical storms etc.; Tsunamis; Landslide; High waves/freak waves; Place specific reference is likely to consist of: Named places, Named storms etc.