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Year 7 - Geography

Processes shaping the coastline

Coasts: what shapes life at the coast?

Unit Summary

This unit teaches pupils how physical and human processes shape our coastline. Pupils will also learn about the threats and challenges coastlines face in a warming world.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to name and describe processes that help to shape our coastlines.

Key Notes

  • Natural processes that happen at the coast help to shape coastlines.
  • There are four types of erosion: abrasion, hydraulic action, attrition and solution.
  • There are four types of transportation: traction, solution, suspension and saltation.
  • The process of deposition occurs when waves have lost their energy and can no longer carry their load.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • process: A process is an ordered series of actions, events or changes that make something happen.
  • erosion: Erosion is the process of Earth's surface, e.g. rock or soil, being worn away and transported from its original site.
  • deposition: Deposition is when material such as sand, mud or rocks is dropped by the water that was carrying it.
  • transportation: Transportation is when water moves sand, mud and rocks.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Students frequently mix up the different types of processes, their names and definitions.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.

Natural processes that happen at the coast help to shape coastlines. There are four types of erosion: abrasion, hydraulic action, attrition and solution.

2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'process'

A process is an ordered series of actions, events or changes that make something happen.

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: Students frequently mix up the different types of processes, their names and definitions. Correction: Flag up words for processes that sound similar or have similar spellings as you encounter them. Signpost the differences in their meanings, and encourage students to highlight them in a way that is most useful for them, for example by colour coding.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 7 Geography guide library.