Page 407 - Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology

BIG IDEAS PRE-LAB VIDEO

A coastline is the boundary between land (geosphere)
and the ocean or a lake (hydrosphere), but it is also
affected by the atmosphere, organisms (biosphere,
including humans), and sometimes glaciers
(cryosphere). The shapes of coastal landforms depends
on how the land is affected by the other spheres. Specific
factors like waves, erosion, sediment supply, storms, and
sea-level changes, are particularly effective in shaping
coastal landforms and may pose hazards to humans or
their property. Therefore, artificial structures are used to
manage shorelines and protect coastal properties.

FOCUS YOUR INQUIRY

|
THINK What factors affect the shape and position of
About It shorelines?
ACTIVITY 15.1 Coastline Inquiry (p. 376 )

ACTIVITY 15.2 Introduction to Shorelines (p. 376 )

|
THINK How successful are efforts to protect shorelines
About It from erosion by building artificial structures?

ACTIVITY 15.3 Shoreline Modification at Ocean City,
Maryland (p. 381 )

|
THINK How will rising sea levels affect communities
15 ACTIVITY 15.4 The Threat of Rising Seas (p. 381 )
About It along shorelines?

LA B O RA T O R Y Introduction

When viewed from an airplane or satellite, coastlines
Coastal Processes, appear to be very simple—the obvious linear boundaries
between land and the ocean or a lake. But at ground
level, one cannot help but notice that coastlines are
Landforms, dynamic systems characterized by constant change. There
is constant interaction among not only land (geosphere)
Hazards, and Risks and water (hydrosphere), but also the atmosphere,
organisms (biosphere), and sometimes ice (cryosphere).
Wind is blowing, water is flowing, rocks are being eroded,
C ONTRIBUTING A UTHORS sediment is moving about, and landscapes are being
shaped. Organisms, including humans, are abundant. The
James G. Titus • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has
Donald W. Watson • Slippery Rock University
found that more than half of the world’s population lives
within 60 km of the ocean, and three-quarters of all large
cities are located on the coast. There, humans find many
resources along copastlines, but they also face hazards
Storm waves are eroding sand from this Hatteras, North Carolina associated with living at the dynamic interface of many
beach. Homeowners risk the loss of their properties when severe
storms occur. (Photo by Michael Collier) spheres.
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