Section D
Analysis
Types of data presentation to analyse
•
•
•
•
•
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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
Sheringham Groyne Profile
Distance along groyne (m)
0
2
4
6
8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26
0
0.2
0.4
Height (m)
• 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
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
Height on West Side
Height on East Side
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
Beach profile of Site 3
20
20
18
18
16
16
14
14
Height (m)
Height (m)
Beach profile of Site 1
12
10
8
12
10
8
6
6
4
4
2
2
0
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Distance (m)
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
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Distance (m)
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
1.
2.
3.
4.
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