Coastal Zones: Formation, Dynamics, and Communities
The Coastline
The coastline is the land between the upper and lower limits of the coast and adjacent areas directly influenced by the sea. It’s the contact zone between land and sea.
The Coast as an Interface
In the littoral zone, four Earth subsystems interact:
Atmosphere
- High moisture content, water particles, and salts.
- Winds influence currents, waves, intertidal life, and geology.
Hydrosphere
- Mainly marine waters.
- Models geology and provides habitat for coastal life.
Geosphere
- Determined by materials,
Chilean Hazardous Materials Classification
Different substances or hazardous materials are officially classified in the Chilean standard 2.120.Of89, which establishes the following classes:
Class 1: Explosive Substances
Includes:
a) Explosive substances, except those too dangerous to be transported and those whose primary risk is another class. Substances not themselves explosive but which can form explosive gas, vapor, or dust are not included.
b) Explosive articles, except devices containing explosive substances in such quantity or of its
Environmental Science: A Comprehensive Guide to Earth’s Systems
Environmental Science: An academic field offering an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to studying Earth’s components, their interactions, and their relationship with human systems to solve environmental problems.
Environment: The study of interactions between physical, chemical, biological, and social components of the natural world, including their effects on organisms and human impacts.
Multidisciplinary Field: Combines natural and social sciences.
Scientific Method: A planned,
Read MoreEssential Geographic Definitions
Altitude
In geography, altitude is the vertical distance of a point on Earth relative to mean sea level (MSL). This contrasts with height, the vertical distance between two points on the surface, and flight level, the standard pressure altitude measured by an altimeter above 20,000 feet MSL.
Archipelago
An archipelago is a chain or group of islands. These islands are typically located in open water, less commonly near large landmasses. They often have volcanic origins, sometimes forming ridges or hotspots.
Read MoreEarth Science: Rocks, Minerals, and Earth Systems
Earth Materials
Rocks and Minerals
Rocks are aggregates of minerals formed by geological processes. A mineral is a naturally occurring element or inorganic compound with a definite chemical composition and atomic structure.
Rock Classification
- Igneous: Formed from the consolidation of magma.
- Sedimentary: Formed from the consolidation of sediments.
- Metamorphic: Formed from other rocks within the Earth’s crust that have undergone transformation.
The Rock Cycle
The rock cycle is the continuous process of transformation
Read MoreEarth’s Surface Processes: Weathering, Erosion, Sedimentation, and Soil
External Geodynamic Processes
External geodynamic processes occur on the Earth’s surface, driven by gravitational forces and solar energy. Important geological agents include rain and wind. These processes lead to weathering, erosion, transportation, and sedimentation.
Weathering
Weathering is the set of changes experienced by materials of the lithosphere in contact with the atmosphere, hydrosphere, or biosphere.
Physical Weathering
- Fissuring: Rupture or disintegration of rocks due to tectonic stress.