Coastal Geomorphology

Title: To identify and describe the main coastal erosional and depositional landforms produced by wave action observe at Peyton’s Cove, Don Christopher Cove and Blowing Point along the coastline at Robin’s Bay, St. Mary, Jamaica

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School Center: 100107 Teacher: Year of Examination: 2016 Due Date:
Table of Content

Title Page

Aim of Study………………………………………… Location of Study ……………………………………

Method of Data Collection…………………………...

Presentation and Explanation of Data………………..

Analysis and Discussion of Data……………………..

Conclusion……………………………………………

Bibliography………………………………………….

Aim of Study

The aims of the study were to: * Describe the main coastal erosion and depositional landforms produced by wave action or processes at Peyton’s Cove, Don Christopher Cove, Blowing Point along the coastline of Robin’s Bay in St. Mary, Jamaica * To study the effects of constructive and destructive wave processes on coastal landforms development * To determine the influence of the local rock and structure on the development of coastal landforms

Location of the Study of Area

Method of Data Collection

On Tuesday May 12, 2015 between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Four studies were conducted at specific areas. The study was conducted at Robin’s Bay, St. Mary, Jamaica.
A number of data was collected at each location. The data was obtained in various ways, such as: taking of pictures, record sheets and information was written down. The most vital method of data collection was to go at sea and measure wave height etc. Instruments use to obtain data are: tape measure, pen, paper and meter rule. The objective was to map the distribution of the rocks and measure the wave characteristics along the coast of Robin’s Bay and to explain how the local rock types and structure and the wave activities influence the devolvement of coastal landforms in the study area

Presentation and Explanation of Data

There were four localities that were visited: * Don Christopher Cove * Peyton’s Cove * Don Christopher Point * Blowing Point

Three out of the four mention localities different rock types were found and analyze. Some of the rock types found were: Shale, Sandstones, Limestone and Igneous. The rocks were also of many different shapes, shapes such as: Sub-Angular, Rounded, Sub-Rounded, Angular, And Well Rounded. Each rock had a long and short axis.
Shale and Limestone were the dominant rock types along the coast Robin’s Bay. Each locality has different types of rocks but limestone and shale were the most type of rock found at each locality. The site map highlighted the location where either shale or limestones were found.
Don Christopher Cove was the first site visited. It had a large amount of shale rocks and sandstones. The Figures below show examples of shale and sandstone.

Fig. 1 Example of shale rock Fig. 2Example of a Limestone

Wave Action

Fig. 2 shows the time, number of waves and periods at Don Christopher Point

The bar graph is showing statistical information of 85 waves in total. On average 14 waves wash against shore every sixty seconds (60 sec). The period is the time divided by the number of waves; so for example the period for Wave 1 would be 6015 the period would be 4 as depicted in the Fig.2.

Time (in sec.) | # of Waves | Period(s) | 60 | 14 | 4.28 | 60 | 14 | 4.28 | 60 | 15 | 4 | 60 | 15 | 4 | 60 | 16 | 3.75 | 60 | 15 | 4 |

Table 1
Table 1 above is showing wave action at Peyton Point. On average 15 waves were coming towards the coast every 60 seconds.
Analysis and Discussion of Data

The study area was on the northern coast of Jamaica. The area was along the coast of Robin’s Bay in St. Mary. There were four localities that were studied. They are: Don Christopher Cove, Peyton’s Cove, Don Christopher Point, and Blowing Point. This research was conducted to find out wave action affected the landforms along the coast of Robin’s Bay The Aim of Study was to: Describe the main coastal erosion and depositional landforms produced by wave action or processes at Peyton’s Cove, Don Christopher Cove, and Blowing Point along the coastline of Robin’s Bay in St. Mary, Jamaica. To study the effects of constructive and destructive wave processes on coastal landforms development .To determine the influence of the local rock and structure on the development of coastal landforms At Locality 1(Don Christopher Cove) 85 waves in total came to shore. On average 14 waves wash against shore every sixty seconds 60 seconds (See Fig 2). Waves are created by wind blowing over the sea. The features of waves are determined by the strength of the wind, its duration and how long the wave travel. The stronger the wind the greater the friction on the surface of the sea and this causes a bigger waves. They are two types of waves; they are Constructive and Destructive Waves.
Constructive Waves, as the name suggest, they “construct” the coastal features on the coast. They are flat and low in height and have a long wave length. These waves come to shore with a powerful force and the carry large amount of sediments. They are formed by storms thousands miles out at sea.
Destructive Waves have a large wave height and short wave length. Their strong downward energy helps erode the beach material. The strong backwash results in narrow beach profile. Destructive waves are dense and sometime interfere with each other. There is limited forward movement when a destructive come at shore but there is powerful backwash.

These waves have a lot to do with coastal erosion and the formation of depositional landforms at Don Christopher Cove. Knowing that a north-east trade wind form waves an area like Don Christopher Cove will be significantly by these waves. The powerful forces of waves are what help to form the coast and its features by erosion, transportation and deposition. When waves reach shore it smashes against cliffs and it will carry out the processes of erosion (Attrition, Corrasion and Hydraulic Action).With Attrition, knowing that the water is constantly beating on one place, after period of time the rock fragments will eventually break down in smaller pieces after they are constantly being knocked against each other. Corrasion is the mechanical erosion of soil and rock by the abrasive action of the particles.
Hydraulic Action this is when water smashes against a rock surface produces mechanical weathering. In most cases Hydraulic Action occurs when water is kinetic energy form to transport or uproot rock particles.

Depositional landforms forms from these processes are: Cliff and Wave cut-platforms, Headland and bays Caves, arches and stacks.