ASGeographyEdexcelExam QuestionsCoastal Landscapes & ChangeCoastal Erosion & Sea Level Change

Coastal Erosion & Sea Level Change (Edexcel AS Geography): Exam Questions

Exam code: 8GE0

1 hour13 questions
1
2 marks

Study Figure 5a below, which shows the measurements taken of the volume of cliff material eroded over a six month period.

Average volume of cliff material

eroded (metres3)

August

1

September

3

October

35

November

592

December

994

January

186

Figure 5a
Measurements of the volume of eroded cliff material

Calculate the mean volume of cliff material eroded per month.

Show your working.

Give your answer to 2 decimal places.

............................... metres3

How did you do?

2
3 marks

Study Figure 5b

Coastal scene with waves crashing against a seawall, a stone clock tower in the foreground, and houses on a hillside under a cloudy sky.
Historic stone church with a clock tower by a coastal cliff, overlooking a sandy beach and vibrant blue sea under a clear sky.

Figure 5b
Two images showing the coast at Porthleven, at different times of year

Suggest one reason why the rate of cliff erosion varies at Porthleven.

How did you do?

3
12 marks

Assess the view that storm surges are the main cause of increasing risk for coastlines.

How did you do?

4
12 marks

Assess the contribution of eustatic sea level change to the rate of coastal recession.

How did you do?

5
4 marks

Explain two characteristics of submergent coastlines.

How did you do?

6
16 marks

Study Figures 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d

Bullet points detailing Vik's location, impact of tourism, volcanic activity, and climate change effects on glaciers and sea levels in Iceland.

Figure 5a
Information about the Black Sands beach at Vik, Iceland

Map of southwestern Iceland shows volcanic regions and tectonic plates. Key locations include Reykjavik, Eyjafjallajökull, and Katla. Geological features marked.
Key with symbols: Blue circle for tourist hotspot, triangle for volcanoes, grey dashed outline for volcanically active areas, dashed line for plate boundary.

Figure 5b
Map of the South Coast of Iceland

Bar chart showing Iceland's visitor numbers from 2002 to 2018, rising significantly after 2010. Key films and events marked, including Eyjafjallajökull eruption.

Figure 5c
Tourist numbers to Iceland and major film franchise releases with scenes
filmed in Iceland

Cliff of basalt rock formed by Katla's 1918 eruption, with people on a black sand beach. Text explains erosion and resistance to proposed constructions.
Three people stand on a black sand beach, watching large waves crash against rocks. Text highlights the coastal dangers in South Iceland.
A small coastal village with a red-roofed church on a hill, cliffs in the background, and text about increased house-rental prices in Iceland.

Figure 5d
Images of the Black Sands beach at Vik

Evaluate the view that people are the main threat to Iceland’s coastal landscape.

How did you do?

7
1 mark

Define the term ‘eustatic sea level change’.

How did you do?

8a
1 mark

Study Figure 5a below which shows two samples of nine pebbles on a beach on the east coast of England.

A t-test can determine if there is a significant difference between the two sets of data.

Average size of 9 pebbles at

the backshore

Average size of 9 pebbles at

the foreshore

Mean pebble size

38

25

Standard deviation

8.1

6.2

Figure 5a

Using the partially completed Student’s t-test below, calculate the value of t.

Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

t equals fraction numerator stack X subscript 1 with bar on top minus stack X subscript 2 with bar on top over denominator square root of fraction numerator S subscript 1 superscript 2 over denominator N subscript 1 end fraction plus fraction numerator S subscript 2 superscript 2 over denominator N subscript 2 end fraction end root end fraction equals fraction numerator 13 over denominator 3.4 end fraction

t = ...............................................

How did you do?

8b
1 mark

Identify the significance level of your t-test result using Figure 5b

Degrees of freedom

0.20

0.10

0.05

0.02

0.01

0.001

18

1.330

1.734

2.101

2.552

2.878

3.922

Figure 5b
Significance table for t-test

How did you do?

9
12 marks

Assess the importance of subaerial processes in contributing to the rate of coastal recession.

How did you do?

10
3 marks

Study Figure 5b

Aerial view of a coastal cliff collapse, showing white chalk cliffs, debris on the beach, and nearby houses with green fields in the background.

Figure 5b
Recent cliff collapse on the South East coastline of the United Kingdom

Suggest one reason for the cliff collapse.

How did you do?

11
12 marks

Assess the importance of longer term sea-level change in explaining the risks at different coastlines.

How did you do?

12a
2 marks

Study Figure 5, which shows global sea level changes before and after 1950.

Graph showing global sea level rise from 1870 to 2010. Red line indicates a steady increase, rising sharply post-1950, with 180 mm rise by 2010.

Figure 5
Global sea level changes before and after 1950

Calculate the percentage sea level change between 1950 and 2010.

Show your working.

............................... %

How did you do?

12b
3 marks

Suggest one way in which these changes may affect coastal landscapes.

How did you do?

13
4 marks

Explain two physical reasons why some locations are at risk from coastal flooding.

How did you do?