Beaches, Stumps, & Cliffs
Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 2.2.2
Coastal Landforms: Cliffs, Stumps, and Beaches
Coastal landforms like cliffs, stumps, and beaches form through erosion, weathering, and deposition along the shoreline.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on Beaches, Stumps, & Cliffs
When is a wave-cut platform most visible?
What do cliff characteristics primarily depend on?