A Level Geography Paper 1,2023 with complect solution

Describe how a reduction in energy may lead to sediment sorting. (6) - Sorting is the process by which the standard deviation of clast size within a sediment becomes reduced. - High energy environments (e.g. shallow marine) are able to transport a large range of sediment sizes by traction, saltation, and suspension. - When energy is reduced larger particles are deposited, but finer material continues to be transported, therefore continuing the sorting process. - Sorting may occur by LSD, on a beach by wave energy variation, or in lagoons by reduced energy as a result of tides or river currents. Suggest how sub-aerial processes could account for the differences in shoreline retreat. - Sub-aerial processes are a combination of weathering as mass movement. Mass movement: - Slumping - Rock Fall - Soil Creep Physical Weathering - Freeze Thaw - Exfoliation - Wetting and Drying Chemical Weathering - Hydrolysis - Oxidation - Carbonation Biotic Weathering 1. (a) Label Figure 1b to explain the processes responsible for the formation of landform X. [5] Most candidates will identify the spit and address the processes responsible for its formation. However, some may discuss the mudflats/saltmarshes behind the spit. Accept both routes. Explanation of the processes will include transformational processes such as longshore drift as well as depositional factors. Deposition occurs when and where there is insufficient energy to move sediment further, and learners should understand the processes of sediment sorting and flocculation. Arrowed explanations will assist the candidate to reach Band 3. 1. (b) Examine the role that wind plays in the development of a coastal sand dune. [10] Aeolian Transport is the first process of coastal dune formation and involves the movement and weathering of sand particles behind and along the shoreline. Aeolian transportation is when the wind transports sediment. AO1 AO1 content encompasses knowledge and understanding of how aeolian processes form coastal sand dunes. This may include: • erosion of sediment from beach • transportation of sediment • description of suspension, saltation and traction with link to grain size • deposition where wind speed falls behind obstacles • growth of embryo dunes • fixation of dunes • movement of sand within dunes - blowouts AO2 Candidates should address the importance of wind and/or consider interrelationships between wind and other factors identified. This may include: • the relative importance of wind • the role of biotic factors • the role of physical objects at the strand line • the changing role of wind with distance inland • the changing role of wind within the dune system - blowouts 2. (a) Use Figure 2 to describe the pattern of wave energy. [5] • Three areas identified on the map south-west/northeast/ north-west) - not all are needed • NW with the highest energy with the use of data • SW energy ranging from 45 KW/m to 16-20 for approx. 400 km • NE energy ranging from 0-5 to 36-40 for approx. 500km There are many other possible patterns that can be identified but a spatial awareness is needed for marks in Band 3 i.e. an overall sense of pattern. Some will show clear use of latitude and longitude values, this will also assist in reaching Band 3. 2. (b) Discuss the impact of either eustatic or isostatic sea level changes on the development of one coastal landform. Landforms that could be identified include fjords, rias or raised beaches. Eustatic change is when the sea level changes due to an alteration in the volume of water in the oceans or, alternatively, a change in the shape of an ocean basin and hence a change in the amount of water the sea can hold. Eustatic change is always a global effect. During and after an ice age, eustatic change takes place. At the beginning of an ice age, the temperature falls and water is frozen and stored in glaciers inland, suspending the hydrological cycle. This results in water being taken out of the sea but not being put back in leading to an overall fall in sea level. Conversely, as an ice age ends, the temperature begins to rise and so the water stored in the glaciers will re-enter the hydrological cycle and the sea will be replenished, increasing the sea levels. Increases in temperature outside of an ice age will also effect the sea level since an increasing temperature will cause the ice sheets to melt, putting more water in the sea. Isostatic sea level change is the result of an increase or decrease in the height of the land. When the height of the land increases, the sea level falls and when the height of the land decreases the sea level rises. Isostatic change is a local sea level change. AO1 Candidates should be able to show the knowledge and understanding of the impacts of eustatic or isostatic sea level changes on the development of one landform. AO2 Candidates demonstrate application of knowledge and understanding to evaluate the impact of eustatic/isostatic sea level change on the development of one landform. The more developed response will identify that there are other factors that can contribute to the development of the landform such as ice, rock type, and erosional processes, amongst others. 3. (a) (i) Compare the characteristics of the coastal landscapes shown in Figure 1. [5] • chalk cliffs steeper than clay and sand • chalk cliffs have rockfall whilst clay and sand have slumping • both are high • both have vegetation on mass movement features • chalk fronted by pebbles and clay with sand • chalk have wave cut platform whilst clay has beach 3. (a) (ii) Suggest how lithological factors have influenced the development of the cliffs shown in Figure 1. [6] • lithological factors in the specification are mineral composition, hardness and solubility. Responses can address one or more of these factors • development may examine shape of cliffs, types of weathering, mass movement etc • mineral composition can impact upon the type and rates of weathering - carbonates are easily dissolved, clay minerals are affected by wetting and drying, iron minerals are affected by oxidation • mineral composition impacts upon mass movement - rocks containing clay minerals are more prone to slumping and flows • variation in mineral composition within a cliff can lead to mass movement - bands of clay in a cliff are less permeable and build up pore water pressure to encourage slumping • hardness can impact on rate of cliff development - rocks that contain hard minerals erode less quickly, rocks with soft bonding minerals are easily eroded • cliffs with hard minerals in rocks are vertical • solubility of minerals impacts on type of weathering and erosion and can impact on shape of cliffs. 3. (b) Describe two distinctive features of a geo. [2] • linear clefts in a cliff / narrow inlet • along lines of weakness • have boulder beach at their head. 4. (a) (i) Use Figure 2 to analyse changes in wave height for the three mangrove forests. [5] • wave height reduced with increased distance inland for all forests • forest A wave height decreases steadily across width of mangrove • forest B has rapid increase across initial 200m then rate of reduction slows • forest C has rapid decrease over initial 100m, 100-300m rate slows, at 300m wave height close to 0 which continues to 500m • accept comparative comments between forests. 4. (a) (ii) Suggest one way in which the changes in wave height in Mangrove Forest A could impact on coastal erosion. [2] - Decrease in wave height leads to decrease in wave energy (1) - leading to decrease in overall erosion (1) - parts of mangrove furthest from low watermark have less erosion (1). 4. (b) Explain the formation of either coral reefs or mangrove coastlines. [6] Coral reefs Answers need to link elements of content below to formation of the reef - how they are related to the development of the reef. Possible approaches may include: • reference to conditions of formation - depth, light, currents • reference to species - corals, algae, sponges • reference to types of reefs - fringing, barrier, atoll • reference to structure of reefs - reef crest, fore reef, back reef • reference to reef composition - live coral, sediment • reference to vertical growth of reef, in-line with changing sea levels. 5. Assess the relative importance of longshore drift in the formation of one or more landforms of coastal deposition. [15] AO1 AO1 content encompasses knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of depositional coastal landform(s) and the role of longshore drift, and other factors, in their formation. The specification identifies the following landforms as depositional - beaches, spits, bars, tombolos and cuspate forelands. Other landforms may be included from 1.1.7 such as dunes, salt marshes and tidal flats. The content will depend upon the landform(s) chosen and may include: • Knowledge and understanding of the process of longshore drift • Knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of identified landform(s) of coastal deposition. This may include such aspects as coastal locations, shape, magnitude • Knowledge and understanding of how longshore drift contributes to the development of selected landform(s) • Knowledge and understanding of conditions and process of deposition • Knowledge and understanding of other processes such as wind, fluvial, estuarine, erosional process, human influence etc. • Knowledge and understanding of how alternative process contribute to the development of depositional landforms. AO2 AO2 content encompasses the application of knowledge and understanding to evaluate the importance of longshore drift in the development of selected depositional landform(s). Answers may conclude that longshore drift has a major part or variable influence on the development of selected landform(s). Content may vary according to landform(s) selected but may include: • An assessment of the relative importance of longshore drift • An assessment of other processes • An assessment of changes over time • An assessment of changes over geographical space • An assessment of the impacts of human activity in the formation of the chosen coastal landform/s.