2.2.2

Beaches, Stumps, & Cliffs

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Coastal Landforms: Cliffs, Stumps, and Beaches

Coastal landforms like cliffs, stumps, and beaches form through erosion, weathering, and deposition along the shoreline.

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Formation of cliffs

  • Cliffs form by erosion along coastlines.
  • Waves erode softer rocks at the base, creating a wave-cut notch.
  • The rock above becomes unstable and collapses.
    • This process repeats, retreating the cliff face inland.
  • Cliffs in geography show steep, vertical rock faces along coastal zones.
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Characteristics of cliffs

  • Cliffs are steep or vertical rock faces along the sea.
  • Cliffs have a wave-cut platform at the base, which is exposed at low tide.
  • Coastal geography shows cliffs vary in height and rock type.
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Formation of stumps

  • Stumps form from headlands eroded by waves.
  • Sea caves form in the headland by hydraulic action and abrasion.
  • Caves become arches if they extend through the headland.
  • When the arch collapses, a stack forms.
    • Continued erosion shortens the stack, forming a stump near the coastline.
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Characteristics of stumps

  • Stumps are small, often submerged rock pillars near the coast.
    • Stumps mark the last stage after stacks have eroded further.
  • Stumps are visible at low tide, showing erosion history in coastal geography.
  • Stumps show how waves shape rocky shorelines over time.
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Formation and features of beaches

  • Beaches are formed by the deposition of sand and pebbles by waves.
  • Constructive waves build up beaches by depositing materials.
  • Beaches have a gentle slope and vary in size and shape.
  • Beaches often have features like berms (raised ridges) and cusps (curved indentations).
    • Beaches protect coasts by absorbing wave energy in coastal geography.

Jump to other topics

1Paper 1 - Changing River Environnments

2Paper 1 - Changing Coastal Environments

3Paper 1 - Changing Ecosystems

4Paper 1 - Tectonic Hazards

5Paper 1 - Climate Change

6Paper 2 - Changing Populations

7Paper 2 - Changing Towns & Cities

8Paper 2 - Development

9Paper 2 - Changing Economies

10Paper 2 - Resource Provision

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