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CARIBBEAN SECONDARY EXAMINATION COUNCIL

SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT

GEOGRAPHY

Candidate Name: Jhaniel Lawrence

Candidate Number: 100076

Center Number: 1000761522

Teacher: Mr. Dunbar

Territory: Jamaica

Year of Examination:2021- 2022

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page.no

 Introduction …………………………………………………………… 3

 Aim of study…………………………………………………………… 4

 Location of study………………………………………………………. 5

 Methodology…………………………………………………………… 6

 Presentation of data…………………………………………………..7-14

 Conclusion…………………………………………………………….. 15

 Bibliography…………………………………………………………... 16
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INTRODUCTION

The Coast is the zone of interaction between the land and the sea where they meet. The coast

extends from the deepest point to which the waves transport materials, to the highest level

reached by the sea on land. Portland, with its capital town Port Antonio, is a parish located on

Jamaica's northeast coast in the county of surrey. The parish is known for its natural beauty, lush

vegetation, the amazing view at the peak of the Blue Mountain range, as well as its stunning

beaches. Some popular beaches in Portland are, Boston Beach, Bikini Beach, Long Bay beach

and the core of this school-based assessment, the Hectors River/ Innes Bay. The Hectors River/

Innes Bay is located east of Portland. The main focus of this SBA is to examine various coastal

features and their formations along Hectors River/Innes Bay.

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AIM OF STUDY

1. To assess the constructive and destructive features produced by wave activities along the coast

of Hectors River to Sharpe-Nose Point in Manchioneal, Portland.

2. What are the features produced by wave activities along the coast of Hectors River to Sharpe-

Nose Point in Manchioneal, Portland?

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LOCATION OF STUDY

The study was conducted along the coast in the Parish of Portland at a total of three locations.

They are:

 Hector’s River

 Turtle Bay

 Sharpe- Nose Point

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METHODOLOGY

1. How: A few instruments were utilized to gather data for the field trip. These instruments

were a stopwatch, measuring tape, meter stick, ruler, and a computerized compass. The

swash and the backwash of waves were recorded by utilizing the stopwatch. A few

students deliberately went into the water and used a meter stick to quantify the crest and

trough of the wave and then informed the other students that they were either destructive

waves or constructive waves. A computerized compass was utilized to determine the

direction where the waves were streaming. Additionally, various kinds of rocks were

arbitrarily chosen and estimated with a measuring tape to decide the length and width of

each rock. The shape and sort of rock was afterwards recorded.

2. When: The field trip was on July 22, 2021 and lasted from 9:00 a.m.- 3: 00p.m as the
weather was conducive for the trip.

3. Where: The study was conducted in the parish of Portland at Hectors River/ Innes Bay.
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PRESENTATION OF DATA

Head-land

Destructive
Wave

Plate 1: Headland (Hectors River/ Innes Bay)

Date: July 22, 2021

Source: Field Trip

According to Jeanette Outley and Marolyn Gentles (2006), a headland develops when alternating

layers of hard and soft rocks are eroded at different rates. At Innes Bay, we observed that the

headlands come under attack from destructive waves more than indented areas such as the beach

or bay due to its projection out into the sea. We also noticed that the headland varied in color due

to the hard and soft mineral components such as limestone and granite. The destructive waves as

shown in plate 1, pushed into the cracks and fissures of the rock with sheer force as it eroded it.

This process is known as hydraulic action.

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Cliff

Notch

Plate 2: Cliff (Hectors River/ Innes Bay)

Date: July 22, 2021

Source: Field Trip

Jeanette Outley and Marolyn Gentles (2006) stated that cliffs are steep, often near-vertical slopes

that rise abruptly from the sea. These are subjected to undercutting by hydraulic action and

abrasion. As this erosion continues, a notch is cut into the base of the cliff. The notch is usually

located between the high and low tide levels and is subjected to maximum erosion. The plate

above demonstrates clearly how the destructive waves attack the base of the cliff to form other

coastal features.
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Cave

Destructive
Waves

Plate 3: Cave (Hectors River/ Innes Bay)

Date: July 22, 2021

Source: Field trip

According to V.A Rahil (2010), as wave energy centers around the headland; lines of weaknesses

are violently attacked and the cliff face becomes disconnected. Crevices open are affected by

hydraulic action and corrasion which gives the formation of caves. Plate 2 above, depicts the

destructive waves as they force their way into cracks in the rock. The water contains sand and

other materials that grind away at the rock until the cracks become a cave. Hydraulic action is the

predominant process.
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Wave-cut
Platform

Destructive
waves

Plate 4: Hectors River/ Innes Bay

Date: July 22, 2021

Source: Field Trip

According to Simon Ross (2017), a wave-cut platform, also called Abrasion Platform is a gently

sloping rock ledge that extends from the high-tide level at the steep-cliff base to below the low-

tide level. It is sometimes loosely covered in beach material. When the cliff recedes due to

destructive waves, a platform replaces the retreating cliff. Wave action continues its scouring and

cutting on the platform, creating a flat top feature called the wave-cut platform. The platform is

broadened as waves erode a notch at the base of the sea cliff. The destructive waves on plate 3

above, are seen attacking the rocks and smoothing it to a platform.

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Figure 1: Hectors River/ Innes Bay

Date: July 22,2021
Source: Field Trip
Figure one, demonstrates several features formed by destructive waves along Hectors River. The

destructive waves contribute to the formation of various features along the coast when they erode

the joints and faults of the limestone rocks due to hydraulic action. The arrangement of these

unique features begins when the waves come closer from North-East or East-North-East. The

most prominent features at this site are: two stumps, three extensive cliffs bordering the

headlands, three headlands aligned in east to west orientation, a cave, a large stack, a large wave-

cut platform, an inlet orientation from east to west and a cove.

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Figure 2: Hectors River/Innes Bay

Date: July 22, 2021
Source: Field Trip

Hector’s River, as shown in figure 2 above, is an area of rocky shoreline which comprises of

a series of coastal features along the eastern coast of Jamaica. These features are formed

when the destructive waves attack the rocks due to hydraulic action and abrasion. The waves

were observed to collide with the cliff and then they were launched violently upward at the

headlands as they eroded the limestone rocks. The main landforms at this site are: three

stumps, a stack with an arch, a wave-cut platform, limestone sand beach, two headlands

aligned in east to west orientation, extensive cliff bordering the headland and an inlet.
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BAR GRAPH SHOWING TYPES OF ROCKS

FOUND ALONG HECTORS RIVER
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12

10
Amount

0
Sedimentary Metamorphic Igenous
Rock Types

Figure 3: Rock Samples (Hectors River/Innes Bay)

Date: July 22, 2021

Source: Field Trip

The rock samples presented in figure 3 were collected on the first stop at Hectors River. After a

thorough analysis of 30 rock samples;12 was sedimentary. This was the most commodious rock

sample found in the area. This also demonstrates evidence for the development of features from

the headland (as shown in figure 1). Metamorphic rocks were also discovered, accounting for 10

of the rock samples. Only 8 Igneous rock samples were found, making it the least abundant rock.
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PIE CHART SHOWING SHAPE OF ROCKS

FOUND ALONG HECTORS RIVER/ INNES
BAY

Well-
Semi-round
rounded
27%
40%

Round
33%

Well-rounded Round Semi-round

Figure 4: Rock samples (Hectors River/ Innes Bay)

Date: July 22, 2021

Source: Field Trip

The rock samples shown in figure 4, were collected at the first stop at Hectors River. After

carefully examining 30 rock samples, the most abundant rock shape was well-rounded which

accounted for 40% of the rock samples. During the transportation process, abrasion results in the

eventual rounding off of the sharp corners and edges of rocks and this contributes to the

formation of some coastal features. Round rocks were also identified which accounted for 33%

of the rock samples. Semi-round rocks were the fewest rocks with an amount of 27%.
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CONCLUSION

There are many factors which contributes to the formation of spectacular landforms along the

Coast of Hectors River. Processes such as corrasion, abrasion, weathering, erosion and hydraulic

action are some of these key factors and all of them are affiliated with wave action.

When I arrived in Manchioneal, Portland, I observed many features, however, the formation that

really stood out the most were the headlands (see plate 1). Its fascinating projection out into the

sea was very prominent as well as the destructive waves which attacked it with sheer force.

According to Longman (2006) a headland a point of land which extends into the sea and often

comes under brutal attack by waves.

From the headland, many other features are formed due to the wave activities which continues to

relentlessly penetrate the rocks. At the edge of the headland, there is a cliff and this is a steep,

almost vertical slant that ascent unexpectedly from the ocean (see plate 2). Cliffs are regularly

exposed to undermining by pressure driven activity and abrasion. With the continuation of this

disintegration, the notch is formed at the base of the cliff where the destructive waves penetrate

the rocks. As erosion continues, the cliff recedes and a platform is then replaced. Wave action

continues its process creating a flat- topped feature called a wave-cut platform. On the other

hand, as wave energy focuses on the headland, lines of weaknesses are attacked and the face of

the cliff becomes disjointed. Fissures open under the influence of hydraulic action on both sides

of a headland forming inlets and caves. However, if erosion occurs horizontally on both sides of

the headland, the back wall of these caves may open up to form an arch. If the rate of erosion is

accelerated by weathering, the arch will collapse, leaving a pillar of rock called a stack. When
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the stack eventually erodes, it leaves a small amount of rock which is barely erected out of the

water, this feature is known as a stump.

Another mentionable feature formed by wave action is the beach. It is formed from the

continuous accumulation of silt, sand, shingle and pebbles. These materials derive from the

erosion of the land by both rivers and seas. The material is deposited along the coast and long-

shore drift distributes the material due to constructive waves.

To finalize it was determined that various wave activities play a significant role in the formation

of the coast and coastal features such as: the headlands, the beach, stacks, stumps, caves, arch,

wave-cut platform, between Hectors River and Sharpe-Nose Point.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ottley J and Gentles. M. Longman Geography for CSEC, United Kingston: Pearson

Longman, 2010

Rahil.V.A Skills in Geography, In Secondary School, 2010

Ross S CXC Study Guide: Geography for CSEC, 2017

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