3.2.2
Coastal Formations
Wave-Cut Platforms and Cliffs
Wave-Cut Platforms and Cliffs
Over time, cliffs are eroded by destructive waves, resulting in the formation of wave-cut platforms. This process is described below:
1) Formation of wave-cut notch
1) Formation of wave-cut notch
- Cliffs are created when erosion, weathering and mass movement processes cause the undercutting and collapse of unsupported rock.
- Destructive waves are responsible for most of the erosion at the base of cliffs.
- When destructive waves lead to abrasion undercutting the cliff face, a curved indent in the cliff forms and a wave-cut notch is created.
2) Collapse of wave-cut notch
2) Collapse of wave-cut notch
- Continued erosion of the wave-cut notch causes the rock above it to become less and less stable, until it eventually collapses.
3) Formation of new wave-cut notch
3) Formation of new wave-cut notch
- Waves wash away the collapsed material and begin eroding away at the cliff again, causing a new wave-cut notch to form.
4) Formation of wave-cut platform
4) Formation of wave-cut platform
- Over time, multiple collapsing events lead to the cliff retreating. What is left behind is called a wave-cut platform.
Erosion of Headlands
Erosion of Headlands
Resistant rocks with weaknesses called joints or cracks are what headlands are made of.
1) Corrosion and hydraulic action
1) Corrosion and hydraulic action
- Destructive waves can erode weaknesses in headlands by the processes of corrosion and hydraulic action.
2) Abrasion
2) Abrasion
- When the weaknesses in the rock widen, abrasion becomes more important.
3) Formation of coastal landforms
3) Formation of coastal landforms
- Over time, these erosional processes lead to the formation of coastal landforms such as caves, arches, stacks and stumps.
Coastal Landforms Caused by Headland Erosion
Coastal Landforms Caused by Headland Erosion
The erosion of headlands can create the following landforms:
Caves
Caves
- Erosion attacks lines of weaknesses in the headland.
- When the crack widens into a small hollowed out area, a cave has formed.
Arches
Arches
- When caves are eroded right the way through the headland, an arch is created.
- Arches have no back and you can walk or swim through them like a doorway.
- E.g. Durdle Door on the Dorset Coast.
Stacks
Stacks
- When the top of an arch collapses because of gravity, a column called a stack is left behind.
Stumps
Stumps
- Continued erosion and weathering cause the stack to breakdown, forming a stump.
- At times of high tide, the stump can become submerged.
- Eventually, the stump will erode and there will be nothing left of it.
1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.2Natural Disasters
1.3Natural Disaster Case Studies
1.4Trends & Patterns
2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change
2.1Glaciated Landscapes Over Time
2.2Periglacial Landscapes
2.3Glacial Processes
2.4Glacial Landforms
3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change
3.1Coastal Landscapes
3.2Coastal Erosion & Deposition
3.3Coastal Risks
4Globalisation
4.1Globalisation
4.2Negatives of Globalisation
4.3Global Shift
4.5Culture
4.6Measuring Development
5Option 4A: Regenerating Places
5.1Types of Economies
5.2Function of Places
5.3Regeneration
5.4Regeneration Case Studies
6Option 4B: Diverse Places
6.1Population Structure
6.2Past & Present Connections
6.3Urban & Rural Spaces
6.4Diversity
6.5Urban & Rural Case Studies
6.6Case Study - Tower Hamlets
6.7Case Study - Sturton-le-Steeple
7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)
7.1Hydrological Processes Global to Local
7.2Influences on the Water Cycle
7.3Water Insecurity
8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)
8.1The Carbon Cycle
8.2Energy Consumption
8.3Alternative Energy
8.4Growing Demand for Resources
9Superpowers (A2 only)
9.1Superpowers
9.2Hard & Soft Power
9.2.1Hard & Soft Power
9.2.2Emerging Powers - China Rivalry
9.2.3Emerging Powers - Chinese Sources of Power
9.2.4Emerging Powers - Brazil
9.2.5Emerging Powers - Russia
9.2.6Emerging Powers - India
9.2.7Theories of Development
9.2.8Power Case Studies: Chinese One Belt One Road
9.2.9Power Case Studies: Pakistan Nuclear Arms
9.2.10Power Case Studies: OPEC
9.3IGOs, TNCs & Alliances
10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)
10.1Human Development
10.2Role of Governments & IGOs
10.3Human Rights
10.4Interventions
11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)
11.1Globalisation & Migration
11.2Consequences of Migration
11.3Nation States
11.4Responses to Global Migration
Jump to other topics
1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.2Natural Disasters
1.3Natural Disaster Case Studies
1.4Trends & Patterns
2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change
2.1Glaciated Landscapes Over Time
2.2Periglacial Landscapes
2.3Glacial Processes
2.4Glacial Landforms
3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change
3.1Coastal Landscapes
3.2Coastal Erosion & Deposition
3.3Coastal Risks
4Globalisation
4.1Globalisation
4.2Negatives of Globalisation
4.3Global Shift
4.5Culture
4.6Measuring Development
5Option 4A: Regenerating Places
5.1Types of Economies
5.2Function of Places
5.3Regeneration
5.4Regeneration Case Studies
6Option 4B: Diverse Places
6.1Population Structure
6.2Past & Present Connections
6.3Urban & Rural Spaces
6.4Diversity
6.5Urban & Rural Case Studies
6.6Case Study - Tower Hamlets
6.7Case Study - Sturton-le-Steeple
7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)
7.1Hydrological Processes Global to Local
7.2Influences on the Water Cycle
7.3Water Insecurity
8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)
8.1The Carbon Cycle
8.2Energy Consumption
8.3Alternative Energy
8.4Growing Demand for Resources
9Superpowers (A2 only)
9.1Superpowers
9.2Hard & Soft Power
9.2.1Hard & Soft Power
9.2.2Emerging Powers - China Rivalry
9.2.3Emerging Powers - Chinese Sources of Power
9.2.4Emerging Powers - Brazil
9.2.5Emerging Powers - Russia
9.2.6Emerging Powers - India
9.2.7Theories of Development
9.2.8Power Case Studies: Chinese One Belt One Road
9.2.9Power Case Studies: Pakistan Nuclear Arms
9.2.10Power Case Studies: OPEC
9.3IGOs, TNCs & Alliances
10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)
10.1Human Development
10.2Role of Governments & IGOs
10.3Human Rights
10.4Interventions
11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)
11.1Globalisation & Migration
11.2Consequences of Migration
11.3Nation States
11.4Responses to Global Migration
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