Geography igcse edexcel coasts (coastal landforms)

Headland and bays

found in areas of hard and soft rock causing different rates of erosion on a discordant coast line

cove

forms where there are bands of rock both soft and hard parallel to the sea (concordant coast line)

cliffs

steep rock faces

wave cut platform

a wide gently sloped surface found at the foot of a cliff

How does a wave cut platform form?

Erosion from waves erodes the cliff slowly into a wave cut notch which develops into a wave cut platform as the cliff retreats over time

cave

opened up by a small crack in the cliff due to hydraulic action which develops into an arch

stack

a set of rocks left behind after the top of the arch is eroded

stump

The result of the stack being eroded

Beach

Depositional landform that forms in sheltered areas with constructive waves

sand dunes

sand blown to the back of the beach by the wind

spit

A spit is an extended stretch of sand or shingle that extends out to sea from the shore

Bar

when a spit grows across a bay joining two headlands together

lagoon

small body of water cut off by the sea