Coastal Landforms - Erosional

define the 2 types of coastal landforms

erosional and depositional landforms

state the erosional landforms (of coastal landforms)

• headlands

• bays

• caves

• arches

• stacks

• stumps

• cliffs

• wave-cut platforms

describe the formation of bays

bands of soft rock - such as: clay and sand - are weaker —> therefore they can be eroded quickly —> this process forms bays

describe what bays are

a bay is an inlet of the sea where the land curves inwards, usually with a beach

describe the formation of headlands

hard rock - such as: chalk - is more resistant to the processes of erosion —> when the softer rock is eroded inwards, forming bays —> the hard rock sticks out into the sea —> forming headlands

what erosional features can be found on headlands?

• and why?

erosional features such as: wave-cut platforms and cliffs can be found on headlands

• since they are more open to the waves opposed to bays

what often forms on bays?

• and why?

bays are more sheltered with constructive waves which deposit sediment to form a beach

describe the formation of cliffs

cliffs are shaped through erosion and weathering

1) soft rock erodes quickly and forms gentle sloping cliffs

2) whereas hard rock is more resistant and forms steep cliffs

describe the formation of wave-cut platforms

1) sea attacks base of cliff between the high and low water mark

2) a wave-cut notch is formed by erosional processes —> such as: abrasion and hydraulic action —> this is a dent in the cliff usually at the level of high tide

3) as the notch increases in size —> the cliff becomes unstable and collapses —> leading to the retreat of the cliff face

4) the backwash carries away the eroded material —> leaving a wave-cut platform

5) the process repeats and the cliff continues to retreat

describe what wave-cut platforms are

it is a wide gently-sloping surface found at the foot of cliffs

describe what a crack is

a small fault or joint in the rock face

describe what a cave is

a hole in the headland —> that does not reach through to the other-side

describe what an arch is

a cave that has broken through to the other-side

describe what a stack is

a roof of an arc that has collapsed, leaving a tall column of rock

describe what a stump is

it is the remains of a stack —> the stack is undercut at the base until it collapses to form a stump