8. spits and bars

Big Picture
Depositional landforms
• Spit
• Bar
• Offshore bar
GCSE Style question
Coastal Features: Spits and Bars
LO: To explain the characteristics and formation of spits and bars.
Spit
 a depositional landform formed
when a finger of sediment extends
from the shore out to sea, often at a
river mouth. It usually has a curved
end because of opposing winds and
currents.
Key Vocabulary
Page 101
09 May 2019

 You can describe the characteristics and formation of spits and bars.
 You use a limited range of specialist terms
 You have a reasonable accuracy in the use of spelling, punctuation
and grammar.
 You can outline the characteristics and formation of spits and bars.
 You use a good range of specialist terms
 You have a considerable accuracy in spelling, punctuation and
grammar.
 You explain the characteristics and formation of spits and bars.
 You use a wide range of specialist terms where appropriate.
 Accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Learning Outcomes – Success Criteria
L3 - Detailed
Answer
L2 - Clear
Answer
L1 - Basic
Answer

Produced by Mr M Colclough

The role of longshore drift in the formation
of a spit.

T as k: Using an annotated
sketch, explain the role of
longshore drift in the formation
of a spit.

EDEXECL GCSE GEOGRAPHY A TEACHING AND LEARNING RESOURCES

Formation of a Spit
Time Challenge:
12 missing words, 3
minutes!
3
minute
timer

How a Spit Forms
A spit is an accumulation of sand with one end attached to the land and the other
reaching out across an estuary or into the sea. They are features of coastal
deposition.
They are formed where large amounts of sediment are transported by longshore
drift and where the coastline suddenly changes direction to leave a sheltered,
shallow area of water. Due to an increase in friction more deposition can occur in
the water sheltered by the headland and the spit slowly builds up to sea level and
extends in length. When the wind changes direction it causes the waves to alter
their direction and this may result in some of the material at the end of the spit
being forced inland to form a curved end. Salt marsh often develops behind the
spit and spits cannot grow across an estuary as the river current carries material
out to sea.

Characteristics of Sandbanks Spit, Dorset
Lagoon
Large hook
Mudflats and salt
marshes
Spit
Distal end
Proximal end

Bar
 where a spit grows across a bay, a bay
bar can eventually enclose the bay to
create a lagoon. Bars can also form
offshore due to the action of breaking
waves.
Key Vocabulary

Slapton Bar and Lagoon, Devon
Slapton Ley, a lagoon
formed by the bar and
the small streams flowing
into this area.
A bar which is joined
to the coastline at
both ends.

1. A spit joins together two headlands.
2. A bar cuts off the bay between the
headlands from the sea.
3. A lagoon can form behind the bar.
Slapton Ley Bar, Devon, United
Kingdom
Subtitle: Formation of Bars
Task: Draw an
annotated sketch of
the formation of a Bar.

Task: Study the diagram on
your question sheet and
answer the question
underneath using the
guidance on the left.

Offshore Bar
 where a bar forms offshore due to the
action of breaking waves.
Key Vocabulary
Extension Work: For Brilliant
Geographers!

Offshore Bar
 where a bar forms offshore due to the action of breaking waves.
Characteristics of a submerged bar

How do the processes of deposition lead to
the formation of distinctive landforms?
[6 marks]
Extension Question 6 marks

How do the processes of deposition lead to the
formation of distinctive landforms? [6 marks]
GC SE St yle Quest ion
 Should demonstrate knowledge of deposition landforms and processes.
The emphasis is on explanation, and there should be reference to the
processes themselves and the sequence in the formation of the landform.
 Possible landforms are beaches, spits and bars.
 The landforms are formed by longshore drift. Waves approach at an
angle. As they break, the swash carries material up the beach as the same
angle as the prevailing wind. As the swash recedes, the backwash carries
material back down the beach by gravity. Material is moved along the
beach in a zig-zag movement.
 Spits form where longshore drift moves sediment along the coast. When
the coastline changes direction sediment is deposited as a long ridge,
stretching out from the coast. The spit may develop across a bay and form
a bar.

 Shows limited knowledge of the effect of the processes of deposition on the
formation of coastal landforms.
 Shows limited understanding of the significance between depositional
processes and coastal landforms. [1 – 2 marks]
 Shows some knowledge of the effect of the processes of deposition on the
formation of coastal landforms.
 Shows some understanding of the significance of the interrelationships
between depositional processes and coastal landforms. [3 – 4 marks]
 Shows precise and detailed knowledge of the effect of the processes of
deposition on the formation of coastal landforms.
 Shows detailed understanding of the significance of the interrelationships
between depositional processes and coastal landforms. [5 – 6 marks] L3 - Detailed
Answer
L2 - Clear
Answer
L1 - Basic
Answer
How do the processes of deposition lead to the
formation of distinctive landforms? [6 marks]
GC SE St yle Quest ion

8. spits and bars

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