Section D Analysis

Types of data presentation to analyse Beach profiles Groyne profiles Wave counts Pebble analysis Infiltration rates Field sketches For each type of data presentation, you will need to analyse it, describing and explaining what it is that your data shows about the different sites. You will also need to compare the different sites

Analysis (Groyne profile example) Describe what the groyne profile tells us about this site, using figures (numbers from the graph) to illustrate E.g. From Figure 1, we can see that there is more sediment on the west side of the groyne at West Runton. For example, at 4m along the groyne, the depth to sediment was only 1m on the west side compared with 2m on the east side. We can therefore see that sediment is building up on the west side and being taken away from the east side. Explain what this means (link to theory) E.g. This shows us that LSD is traveling from west to east at West Runton because the groyne is stopping the material being transported in an easterly direction, causing it to build up on the west side of the groyne. Do this for each site E.g. From Figure 2 at Sheringham we can see… Compare the sites and what the data shows (is LSD the same direction in all locations; if not, how do the sites differ?) You then need to do a similar thing for each type of data you have presented (e.g. beach profiles, wave counts)

Groyne Profiles Shows us which direction LSD is moving in The greater the height, the further it is from the top of the groyne to the beach, meaning that there is less sediment on that side LSD is therefore traveling in that direction

Wave counts We use this to tell if waves are constructive or destructive If there are 10 or more waves in a minute then they are classed as destructive, meaning that they will be causing erosion If there are less than 10 they are classed as constructive, meaning they will be depositing material

Beach Profiles The steepness of the beach profile helps us to decide if the beach is constructive or destructive Generally, the steeper the beach, the more destructive it is. However, the sediment that makes up the beach can also affect the steepness On sandy beaches, material can be removed easily meaning that they will have a gentler slope On shingle beaches, the swash dissipates quickly because of gaps between the shingle so there is little backwash, meaning the beach remains steep

Sheringham Cley Between 0 and 30m, the gradient is steeper than expected for a constructive beach, but because the ridge is made up of shingle, this will mean the beach remains steeper than if it was made of sand This is a berm, the point at which the tides come up to most of the time. Above the berm is only affected by waves when they are bigger than usual Here, although the distance between the ridges is shorter, it is a greater gradient. This beach is also made of shingle and both of these factors show us that this beach is more destructive than the first one

Pebble Analysis The smaller and rounder the pebbles, the more they will have been eroded by attrition On depositional shingle beaches (such as Cley) we would expect to find larger pebbles towards the top of the beach as the swash is stronger so would carry the larger sediment further up the beach If we were starting our pebble analysis at the sea, we would expect to find more smaller and smoother pebbles (so there would be more of them in our results) than if we did it at the top of the beach

Conclusions Once you have analysed your beach profiles, groyne profiles, pebble analysis, wave counts and infiltration rate (if you did this) you will need to start writing your conclusions This is the part where you answer your 4 sub-questions from your introduction Which processes are happening along the stretches of coastline? Which landforms are being created along the stretches of coastline? How do these two stretches of coastline compare in terms of processes and landforms? What are the causes for these differences You must use evidence to support your conclusions by referring back to your data presentation (e.g. Figure 3)

Final Conclusion Use all of your discoveries from your investigation to finally answer the title question: Two stretches of coastline can be very different in terms of their processes and landforms. How far does the research you have carried out make you think that this statement is correct?  

Remember, you only have 5 hours to do your analysis Lesson 1: Analyse first 2 data methods Lesson 2: Analyse second 2 data methods Lesson 3: Finish analysing any other data you may have Lesson 4: Write your conclusions by answering the sub-questions Lesson 5: Answer the overall title and finish off any other bits that need completing