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IB Geography Revision

Oceans & Coastal Margins

Ocean systems, coastal processes and landforms, and the management of coasts.

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Why do waves deposit material to build beaches?

Oceans & Coastal Margins is a core part of IB Geography. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

ENSOEl Niño-Southern Oscillation: coupled ocean-atmosphere mode of variability in the tropical Pacific.
El NiñoWarm phase of ENSO with weakened trade winds and warmer eastern Pacific.
La NiñaCool phase of ENSO with strengthened trade winds and cooler eastern Pacific.
Thermohaline circulationGlobal ocean conveyor belt driven by temperature and salinity gradients.
UpwellingVertical movement of cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface supporting major fisheries.
TeleconnectionLinkage of weather patterns across great distances, e.g. ENSO effects on Indian monsoon.
Coral bleachingLoss of symbiotic zooxanthellae from coral polyps under thermal stress, leaving skeletons white.
Ocean acidificationReduction in ocean pH (around 8.2 to 8.1 since 1750) as oceans absorb CO₂.
Thermal expansionIncrease in ocean volume as water warms, contributing about half of recent sea-level rise.
Eustatic changeWorldwide sea-level change due to variation in water volume.
Isostatic changeLocal sea-level change due to vertical land movement.
MangrovesSalt-tolerant coastal forests acting as nurseries, sediment traps and storm buffers.
Constructive wavesLow, long waves with stronger swash than backwash, building beaches.
Destructive wavesHigh, short waves with stronger backwash than swash, eroding beaches.
Learn Oceans & Coastal Margins step by step

Free interactive mini-lessons: short screens, worked examples and quick checks. Pick your exam board to open its course map, then tap L on this topic:

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Common mistakes to avoid

Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:

Why do waves deposit material to build beaches?✗ Beaches grow because the sea creates new sand from water.   ✓ When waves lose energy they drop the sediment they carry.

Practise Oceans & Coastal Margins — free games

Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:

▶ Two Truths, One Lie▶ Reveal Race▶ Connections Grid▶ Falling Words▶ Word Web

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More IB Geography topics

FreshwaterExtreme EnvironmentsGeophysical HazardsFood & HealthUrban EnvironmentsGlobal ChangeGlobal Interactions (HL)
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100 AI Prompts for IB Geography

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