define
- beach morphology
- beach sediment profiles
-negative and positive feedback (dynamic equilibrium)
-eustatic
- isostatic
Have you checked your text or online?
yes - i can't find a specific definition
Hmm. Look what I found for the first term.
http://www.google.com/#q=beach+morphology+definition
i don't understand the meaning
"Beach morphodynamics (i.e. the dynamics of beach morphology) refers to the study of the interaction and adjustment of the seafloor topography and fluid hydrodynamic processes, seafloor morphologies and sequences of change dynamics involving the motion of sediment."
Look up the words you don't know.
some great help you are!
- Beach Morphology: Beach morphology refers to the study of the physical characteristics and features of a beach, including its shape, size, and composition. It involves understanding how beaches change over time due to factors like waves, tides, currents, and sediment movement.
To understand beach morphology, you can access scientific literature, research articles, or textbooks on coastal geology, oceanography, or coastal engineering. These sources will provide detailed information and diagrams explaining the different types of beach forms, such as sandy beaches, rocky beaches, barrier beaches, spits, and cuspate forelands.
- Beach Sediment Profiles: Beach sediment profiles refer to the layers of sediment that make up the beach and provide insights into its geological history. Sediments in beach profiles can include sand, gravel, pebbles, shells, and other materials deposited by waves and currents.
To study beach sediment profiles, researchers often conduct beach profile surveys. They collect samples by digging trenches or using special instruments like sediment grabs or cores. By analyzing the sediment layers, researchers can determine the age, composition, and processes that have shaped the beach over time.
- Negative and Positive Feedback (Dynamic Equilibrium): In the context of beach dynamics, negative and positive feedback mechanisms play a crucial role in maintaining a state of dynamic equilibrium. Dynamic equilibrium refers to a balanced state where opposing forces or processes are in balance, resulting in little or no net change over time.
Negative feedback occurs when a change in one variable triggers a response that opposes or counters the change, thereby restoring equilibrium. It acts as a self-regulating mechanism. For example, if erosion removes sand from a beach, the reduced beach width might result in decreased wave energy, which, in turn, decreases erosion rates.
Positive feedback, on the other hand, amplifies a change, pushing the system away from equilibrium. For example, if wave energy increases, it could erode the beach, which further increases wave energy, leading to continued erosion.
Understanding negative and positive feedback in dynamic equilibrium requires a basic understanding of systems theory and feedback loops. You can find information on this topic from scientific literature, environmental science textbooks, or websites that cover coastal processes and dynamics.
- Eustatic: Eustatic refers to a globally uniform change in sea level, affecting all coastlines simultaneously. It is mainly caused by changes in the volume of water occupying the oceans, such as during glacial periods or interglacial periods when ice sheets expand or melt.
To understand eustatic sea level changes, you can refer to scientific studies on sea level rise, glacial/interglacial cycles, and paleoclimatology. Books, research papers, and reputable websites on climate change and geology will provide information on the factors influencing eustatic changes and their implications for coastal areas.
- Isostatic: Isostatic refers to changes in the Earth's crust caused by the loading or unloading of mass, usually in the form of glacial ice or sediment. It is a local or regional vertical movement of the Earth's surface that can affect coastal areas.
To learn more about isostatic processes, you can explore geology textbooks, geological survey publications, or online resources focused on tectonics and landforms. Understanding the principles of isostasy and its effects on coastal regions will provide insights into the dynamic nature of coastal landforms and their evolution over time.