Geography SB1
Geography SB1
Geography SB1
Candidate Number:
Centre Number:
Strategy Sheet
Name: Jayda Hunte Class: 5PS1
General Topic of Interest:
Natural Systems- Coasts (Waves in Action)
Possible Title:
How does wave action affect the coast at Vigie Beach, Castries?
Equipment required:
Meter ruler, measuring tape, camera, clipboard, survey map, stopwatch,
graduated rod, compass and questionnaires.
Likely Problems:
Assistance in taking measurements along the beach, including wave
height and length.
The uprising of bad weather making it difficult to complete task.
Assistance in borrowing some of the equipment needed to carry out the
investigation.
Table of Contents
Page No.
LOCATIONS MAPS
Small Scale
Map 1
Large Scale
Map 2-3
AIM OF
STUDY
.. 4
METHODOLOGY
5-6
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
Introduction
.. 7
Charts &
Graphs..
8-11
Beach, Wave Action and Indications of Recent Change..
12-15
CONCLUSION
16
BIBLIOGRAPHY
17
APPENDIX
. 18
Location
Maps
Aims of Study
The study aims to investigate how wave action affects the coast
and the features formed at the coast on Vigie Beach.
Data Collection
The direction of the wind and waves were also recorded. Sand
samples were collected from various points on the beach and the different
plants and animals observed were noted. Human activity on and near the
beach were also recorded. Questionnaires were given out to vendors, visitors,
taxi drivers and workers on and near the beach.
The study area was at Vigie Beach near the airport in Castries. It was
collected at three points along the beach; near the airport, Midway along the
beach and at the Rendezvous Hotel as shown on the sketch map on page 2.
Literature on coastal erosion was also sourced and analyzed.
The data was collected on May 31st, 2014 between the hours of 10am
and 1pm and on the 21st of August, 2014 from 9am to 12pm.
Presentation and Analysis of Data
Introduction
In this geographical study many findings and results from various
measurements and surveys were assessed and organized. This is then followed
by an account of observations made at Vigie Beach during the period of study.
A discussion on the action of the waves during that period of study and an
analysis of the vast number of indications of recent and long term changes to
the beach follows. The study concludes with a presentation of data by relating it
to the aims of the study.
Waves have direct impact on any coast, either changing the shape of
the coast by adding sand and other sediments or taking away these sediments
or by destroying settlements and habitats near the area. The two types of
waves, either constructive or destructive will indicate what happens to the
coast and what coastal features will be formed.
Bar graph showing the major changes along the
coastline at Vigie Beach, Castries.
Which one of the following is the major change along the Coastline ?
Extending Coastline
Receding Coastline
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Number of Respondants
Fig. 1
Based on this bar graph the majority of persons believe that the major
change occurring along the vigie beach coastline is that the coastline is
receding. Both erosion and deposition occur at different times during the year.
During the period of study, there were more destructive waves, which lead to
erosion of the coast. Small Cliffs were formed near the berm of the beach and
beach materials were being broken up and washed away. Please refer to
photo no. 1 on page 14.
Column graph showing the months during which the
wave height is at its highest and its lowest.
During which months are the waves' the highest and the lowest ?
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Respondants
Months
Fig. 2
Based on the questionnaires given out, the months when persons observed
the waves to be the highest at a height of about 5.6ft is between the months of
June to November. On the other hand, the months where persons observed the
waves to be the lowest at a height of about 3.9ft is between the months of
December to May. These observations are quite accurate because the hurricane
season is between the months of June to November. As expected during a time
of bad weather, winds become stronger and the strength of the wind will
indicate that tall destructive waves will be produced. After the hurricane season
between the months of December to May, winds will decreases in speed and
the shorter constructive waves will be produced.
5%
Midway along the beach
75%
other
Fig. 4
This pie chart shows that 75% of respondents indicated that they noticed
that the waves moved from the north east in a south- westerly direction
towards the end of the beach near the airport. Only 20% said that they noticed
the waves moved directly from north to south approaching midway along the
beach and 5% noticed it moved from the north-west in a south-easterly
direction, towards the end of the beach near the rendezvous hotel. According to
my own observations, the waves did move towards in a south-westerly
direction towards the end of the beach near the airport; this is due to the waves
approaching the shore at an angle. This is called the angle of approach.
Photo 1.
Photograph showing effects of erosion
The direction in which the wind travels affects the area of the beach, where
deposition of materials will be greater. This is because the winds encourage the
waves to move in same direction in which they blow and the waves wash more
sand and other sediments onto the shore rather than take away these
sediments; there the amount of swash is larger than the amount of backwash.
When a wave reaches a beach or coastline, it releases a burst of energy that
generates a current, which runs parallel to the shoreline. This type of current is
called a long shore current.
Photo 2.
Erosion is the critical aspect which is affecting the beach at this point in time.
As erosion takes place, the beach continues to recede. Human activity occurs
every day at this beach. Rendezvous hotel is located along this stretch of coast
and is being affected by the wave action. In attempt to extend the beach, they
built a groyne which helps sand to accumulate by slowing down the wave
energy, reducing the amount of backwash which takes place. This helps more
deposition of sand and calmer waves for the benefit of their guests.
Photo 3. Photo 4.
Conclusion
The general conclusion made was that wave action had a big
impact on the coast. Waves affect the features formed along the coast, as well
as the profile of the beach. The prevailing North East trade winds, affect the
direction in which the waves move and so contribute to the features formed
along the coast. The main features noticed along the coast were, headlands
and cliffs. The beach had a gently sloping profile on the side of beach near
airport and steep cliff faces near the cemetery area. It was noted that the
profile of the beach is directly related to the type of wave; either constructive
or destructive. Vigie beach is a sandy beach with mainly constructive waves but
there are occasional destructive currents during the hurricane season. A man-
made coastal feature which was observed was a groyne. The groyne was built
near the rendezvous hotel to increase the deposition of sand, so intern to
increase the beach width; extending the coastline.
Bibliography
Books:
London, A. N., and Senior, M., Principles of Geography for CXC, Longman Group
Limited 1983, Kingston, Jamaica.
Wilson, M., The Caribbean Environment for CSEC Geography, Oxford University
Press, UK, 1990.
Atlases:
Certificate Atlas for the Caribbean, 2001, London, Macmillan Publishers, 2001.
Internet Sources:
GCSE Bitesize,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/coasts/coastal_processes
_rev1.shtml
Appendix
Sample of Questionnaire
Everyday
Once a week
Once a month
Other____________
Yes
No
3. If your answer to question 2 is yes, for how long have you been
working on/ near the beach?
1-5 Years
5-10 Years
Over 20 years
Other____________
4. Which one of the following is the most major change along the
coastline?
Receding Coastline
Extending Coastline
Vigie Airport
By the Cemetery
Narrower
Wider
9. During what months do you notice many rocks along the coastline?
June- November
December- May
September- November
Other___________
10. During what months are the waves heights the lowest?
June- November
December- May
September- November
Other___________
11. During what months are the waves heights the highest?
June- November
December- May
September- November
Other__________
Other___________
13. How have storms and tropical depressions affected the beach over
the years?
No Change
14. Have you noticed any landforms being formed over the years?
Such as:
Headlands
Arches
Cliffs
Other______________