Chapter 13The Oceans, Coastal

Processes, and Landforms

Elemental Geosystems 5e

Robert W. ChristophersonCharles E. Thomsen

The Oceans, Coastal Processes, and Landforms

Global Oceans and Seas  Coastal System Components  Coastal System Actions  Coastal System Outputs  Human Impact on Coastal Environments

Global Oceans and Seas Chemical Composition of Seawater  

Ocean chemistryAverage salinity 35‰

Physical Structure of the Ocean  

Figure 13.1

Ocean’s Physical Structure

Figure 13.2

Coastal System Components  The Coastal Environment and Sea Level  

Littoral Zone

Figure 13.3

Ocean Topography

Figure 13.4

Coastal System Actions  Tides  

Causes of tidesSpring and neap tidesTidal power

Waves  Wave refractionTsunami, or seismic sea wave

Tides

Figure 13.5

Figure 13.6

Tidal Range

andTidal

Power

Wave Formation

Figure 13.7

Rip Current

Figure 13.7

Coastal Straightening

Figure 13.8

Longshore Current and Beach Drift

Figure 13.9

Coastal System Outputs  Erosional Coastal Processes and Landforms  Depositional Coastal Processes and Landforms

BeachesBarrier beach formationsBarrier island hazards

Biological Processes: Coral Formations  Coral reefsCoral bleaching

Wetlands, Salt Marshes, and Mangrove SwampsCoastal wetlands

Erosional Features

Figure 13.10

Rebounding Coast

Figure HLC 13.1.1

Depositional Coastal Features

Figure 13.11

Littoral DriftFigure 13.12

NC Barrier Islands

Figure 13.13

Chandeleur Islands

Figure 13.14

Coral Reef Distribution

Figure 13.15

Coral Reef Formation and Forms

Figure 13.16

Coral Formations

Figure 13.16

Coastal Salt Marsh

Figure 13.17

Mangroves

Figure 13.18

Beach Erosion

Figure 13.20

Coastal Planning

Figure FS 13.1.1

Coastal Erosion

Figure 13.1.2

End of Chapter 13

Elemental Geosystems 5e

Robert W. ChristophersonCharles E. Thomsen