Summary and Final Tasks

Summary

Throughout this unit, you have been introduced to the global diversity of coastal landscapes. You have learned about the role of plate tectonics in coastal classification as well as other approaches to coastal zone classification such as recognizing whether a coast is emergent or submergent and depositional or erosional. Finally, you have been introduced to an array of other processes that operate in coastal zones and that exert an influence on the overall morphology of the coast including climate, sediment supply, glaciation, and the relative role of waves and tides. This unit sets the stage for Unit III, which will provide an overview of very specific types of coastal sub environments such as rocky coasts, sandy beaches, coral reefs, barrier island shorelines, and marshes and mangroves.

Reminder - Complete all of the Module 2 tasks!

You have reached the end of Module 2! Double-check the Lesson 2 Roadmap to make sure you have completed all of the activities listed there before you begin Module 3.

References and Further Reading

Plate Tectonic Theory: http://thebritishgeographer.weebly.com/plate-tectonic-theory.html

Coastal Management: http://web.archive.org/web/20150906110948/https://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools/natural-beauty-science-coastal-zone-management.aspx

Text Book on Coasts: Davis, R.A. and FitzGerald, D.M., 2004, Beaches and Coasts, Blackwell Science, Oxford, England. 419 p.

Coastal Tectonic Classification: Inman, D.L., and Nordstrom, C.E., 1971, On the tectonic and morphological classification of coasts: Journ. of Geol., v. 79, p. 1-21.

Coastal Processes: http://thebritishgeographer.weebly.com/coastal-processes.html

Coastal Processes and Records: http://www.geotimes.org/nov05/geophen.html

Beach and Wave Interactions: http://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/feature/shaping-the-beach--one-wave-at-a-time