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Landforms and ProcessesA coastline is the area where land meets the sea or ocean, or a line that forms the boundary between the land and the ocean or a lake. Landforms and processes are two components that make up the coastal landscape but not every coast is the same. There are many different types of coastline landscapes such as beach, cliff, flat and graded coastlines.
Landforms are the unique shapes of land that make up a landscape. The landforms of a coastline landscape include sandy beaches, limestone, cliffs, bay, stack, reefs and the coast. Every landscape has processes that affect the formation and conditions. The process of a coastline landscape include wave erosion, wind erosion and swash waves. |
LocationThere is 35,876 kilometres of coast line that surrounds the main land of Australia with most of the major cities located right near the coast, except for Canberra which is further inland than all the other cities. Some of the most iconic places of Australia are near the coast or literally are the coast. The coast (presented by the image above) is the yellow border outlining Australia.
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ClimateThe climate in most of Australia's coastlines are marine in. The north coast is generally hotter as it is near the equator which makes it a tropical climate. The south coast is further away from the equator and is closer to the arctic which makes it a temperate climate. According to the graph (above) the temperature throughout the year was fairly warm with the highest being around 28 degrees and the lowest being 12 degrees in Queensland.
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Flora and FaunaThere are many plants and animals on the coasts of Australia including remarkable marine life encounters such as coral spawning, Whale sharks, Manta rays, Dolphins, Turtles and turtle nesting seasons, Whales and whale migration, Dugongs and Australian sea lions but there are also common sea creatures including sharks, whales, birds, seahorses, penguins and grabs. Many plants surround the coast such, examples of coastal plants include sea-grass, palm and famous Neptune's Necklace.
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Effects and InfluenceThe factors that influence the coastal landscape include sea levels and temperature, marine pollution, animal/ plant population and the processes involved with the coast. Photosynthesis, aerobic respiration, growth, reproduction and living organisms are all affected by changes in water temperature. If the sea levels were to rise and flood, it would affect both coast and land. Australia currently regulates the deliberate loading, dumping and incineration of waste at sea under the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 & 1986. Processes such as wave and wind erosion also influence the formation and overall outcome of a coastal landscape. An example of erosion vastly affecting the coastal landscape is the iconic destination of 'The Twelve Apostles'.
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12 Apostles & Bondi BeachCreated by constant erosion of the limestone cliffs of the mainland beginning 10–20 million years ago, the stormy Southern Ocean and blasting winds gradually eroded the softer limestone, forming caves in the cliffs. The caves eventually became arches and when they collapsed rock stacks up to 45 metres high were left isolated from the shore.
Bondi beach is the home of the world’s first Surf Life Saving club (founded over 100 years ago) and played a key role in the development of several safety techniques and equipment that are still in use today. The popular beach surrounds Sydney, New South Wales. |