Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-11-coastal-landforms-caves-arches-and-stacks [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [IGCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse.md) › [Geography](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography.md) › [Edexcel IGCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse.md) › Coastal Landforms: Caves, Arches & Stacks # Coastal Landforms: Caves, Arches & Stacks Geography: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 1.2.11 ## Caves, Arches and Stacks Rock with lots of cracks and joints is called soft rock. Headlands are made of resistant rocks with not many weaknesses. As headlands are eroded, these landforms can be created: ### Caves ![Caves](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/931acbd2-8aba-4326-9b86-5e582f8b2819/shutterstock_1047295696.jpg) - There are cracks, joints, and weaknesses in rocks. - When cracks get wider (because of hydraulic action, abrasion or attrition), they can become large enough to create a cave. ### Arches ![Arches](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/21befa95-d381-454d-b629-c7f5eb0e674b/shutterstock_136912706.jpg) - Caves can be eroded from one side of the rock through the other. - This creates an arch. - You can see right through an arch to the other side of the rock. - Durdle Door (Dorset), Bow Fiddle Rock (Scotland), and the Green Bridge of Wales (Pembrokeshire) are the 3 most famous arches in the UK. ### Stacks ![Stacks](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/a9ec8f83-ca9e-492c-8fe0-8ebef428aaf1/shutterstock_661043992.jpg) - When the top of an arch collapses because of gravity, a column called a stack is left behind. ### The timeline of a stack ![The timeline of a stack](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-03/6a1ae64c-817d-4073-9348-dfae702bad96/_stack_arch_coast_erosion.png) ## Test yourself on Coastal Landforms: Caves, Arches & Stacks - Erosion of Headlands - Which coastal landform is not created by the erosion of headlands? - Which of these coastal landforms is created by the erosion of headlands? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/ef6d2f62-5eb8-4168-aaaf-48efdb77968e/section/0db41fb8-3f0c-47d7-bf2f-a5da7744a498/session) - Previous topic: [1.2.10 Coastal Landforms: Headlands & Bays](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-10-coastal-landforms-headlands-and-bays.md) - Next topic: [1.2.12 Coastal Deposition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-12-coastal-deposition.md) ## Geography: Edexcel IGCSE contents ### 1 Physical Geography - 1.1 River Environments - [1.1.1 Weathering](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-1-weathering.md) - [1.1.2 Mass Movement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-2-mass-movement.md) - [1.1.3 Erosion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-3-erosion.md) - [1.1.4 Transportation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-4-transportation.md) - [1.1.5 Deposition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-5-deposition.md) - [1.1.6 River Landforms: Waterfalls & Gorges](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-6-river-landforms-waterfalls-and-gorges.md) - [1.1.7 River Landforms: Interlocking Spurs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-7-river-landforms-interlocking-spurs.md) - [1.1.8 River Landforms: Flood Plains](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-8-river-landforms-flood-plains.md) - [1.1.9 River Landforms: Point Bars](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-9-river-landforms-point-bars.md) - [1.1.10 River Landforms: Levees](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-10-river-landforms-levees.md) - [1.1.11 River Landforms: Meanders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-11-river-landforms-meanders.md) - [1.1.12 River Landforms: Oxbow Lakes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-12-river-landforms-oxbow-lakes.md) - [1.1.13 River Landscape Changes: Long Profile](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-13-river-landscape-changes-long-profile.md) - [1.1.14 River Landscape Changes: Cross Profile](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-14-river-landscape-changes-cross-profile.md) - [1.1.15 Vertical & Lateral Erosion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-15-vertical-and-lateral-erosion.md) - [1.1.16 Flood Risk Factors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-16-flood-risk-factors.md) - [1.1.17 Human Activities on Rivers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-17-human-activities-on-rivers.md) - [1.1.18 River Management: Hard Engineering](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-18-river-management-hard-engineering.md) - [1.1.19 River Management: Soft Engineering](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-19-river-management-soft-engineering.md) - [1.1.20 Case Study: The River Eden - Landforms](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-20-case-study-the-river-eden-landforms.md) - [1.1.21 Case Study: The River Eden - Climate](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-21-case-study-the-river-eden-climate.md) - [1.1.22 Case Study: The River Eden - Geology](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-22-case-study-the-river-eden-geology.md) - [1.1.23 Case Study: The River Eden - Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-23-case-study-the-river-eden-management.md) - [1.1.24 Case Study: The River Eden - Human Activity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-24-case-study-the-river-eden-human-activity.md) - [1.1.25 End of Topic Test - River Environments](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-25-end-of-topic-test-river-environments.md) - 1.2 Coastal Environments - [1.2.1 Weathering](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-1-weathering.md) - [1.2.2 Mass Movement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-2-mass-movement.md) - [1.2.3 Erosion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-3-erosion.md) - [1.2.4 Deposition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-4-deposition.md) - [1.2.5 Longshore Drift](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-5-longshore-drift.md) - [1.2.6 Sediment Transportation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-6-sediment-transportation.md) - [1.2.7 Wave Action on Coasts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-7-wave-action-on-coasts.md) - [1.2.8 Other Factors Influencing Coasts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-8-other-factors-influencing-coasts.md) - [1.2.9 Coastal Landforms: Wave-cut Platforms & Cliffs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-9-coastal-landforms-wave-cut-platforms-and-cliffs.md) - [1.2.10 Coastal Landforms: Headlands & Bays](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-10-coastal-landforms-headlands-and-bays.md) - [1.2.11 Coastal Landforms: Caves, Arches & Stacks](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-11-coastal-landforms-caves-arches-and-stacks.md) - [1.2.12 Coastal Deposition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-12-coastal-deposition.md) - [1.2.13 Spits, Bars & Sand Dunes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-13-spits-bars-and-sand-dunes.md) - [1.2.14 Human Activity on Coasts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-14-human-activity-on-coasts.md) - [1.2.15 Coastal Defences: Hard Engineering](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-15-coastal-defences-hard-engineering.md) - [1.2.16 Coastal Defences: Soft Engineering](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-16-coastal-defences-soft-engineering.md) - [1.2.17 Coastal Defences: Managed Retreat](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-17-coastal-defences-managed-retreat.md) - [1.2.18 Case Study: Holderness Coast Overview](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-18-case-study-holderness-coast-overview.md) - [1.2.19 Case Study: Holderness Coast Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-19-case-study-holderness-coast-management.md) - [1.2.20 Case Study: Holderness Coast Defences](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-20-case-study-holderness-coast-defences.md) - [1.2.21 End of Topic Test - Coastal Environments](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-21-end-of-topic-test-coastal-environments.md) - 1.3 Hazardous Environments - Tropical Cyclones - [1.3.1 Characteristics of a Tropical Cyclone](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-1-characteristics-of-a-tropical-cyclone.md) - [1.3.2 Structure of a Tropical Cyclone](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-2-structure-of-a-tropical-cyclone.md) - [1.3.3 Physical Hazards of Tropical Cyclones](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-3-physical-hazards-of-tropical-cyclones.md) - [1.3.4 The Impacts of Tropical Cyclones](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-4-the-impacts-of-tropical-cyclones.md) - [1.3.5 Responses to Tropical Cyclones](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-5-responses-to-tropical-cyclones.md) - [1.3.6 Vulnerability to Tropical Cyclones](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-6-vulnerability-to-tropical-cyclones.md) - [1.3.7 Preparing for Tropical Cyclones](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-7-preparing-for-tropical-cyclones.md) - [1.3.8 Case Study: Katrina](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-8-case-study-katrina.md) - [1.3.9 Case Study: Nargis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-9-case-study-nargis.md) - 1.4 Hazardous Environments - Earthquakes & Volcanoes - [1.4.1 Earthquakes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-1-earthquakes.md) - [1.4.2 Features of an Earthquake](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-2-features-of-an-earthquake.md) - [1.4.3 Types of Earthquake](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-3-types-of-earthquake.md) - [1.4.4 Case Study: L'Aquila](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-4-case-study-laquila.md) - [1.4.5 Case Study: Chile](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-5-case-study-chile.md) - [1.4.6 Case Study: Japan & Pakistan - Planning](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-6-case-study-japan-and-pakistan-planning.md) - [1.4.7 Volcanoes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-7-volcanoes.md) - [1.4.8 Types of Volcanoes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-8-types-of-volcanoes.md) - [1.4.9 Volcanic Eruptions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-9-volcanic-eruptions.md) ### 2 Human Geography - 2.1 Economic Activity & Energy - [2.1.1 Increasing Energy Consumption](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-1-1-increasing-energy-consumption.md) - [2.1.2 Non-Renewable Energy - Nuclear](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-1-2-non-renewable-energy-nuclear.md) - [2.1.3 Non-Renewable Energy - Fossil Fuels](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-1-3-non-renewable-energy-fossil-fuels.md) - [2.1.4 Renewable Energy - Solar](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-1-4-renewable-energy-solar.md) - [2.1.5 Renewable Energy - Water & Bio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-1-5-renewable-energy-water-and-bio.md) - [2.1.6 Renewable Energy - Hydro](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-1-6-renewable-energy-hydro.md) - [2.1.7 Energy - Statistical Skills](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-1-7-energy-statistical-skills.md) - 2.2 Rural Environments - [2.2.1 Rainforests](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-2-1-rainforests.md) - [2.2.2 Temperate Forests](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-2-2-temperate-forests.md) - [2.2.3 Characteristics of a Temperate Forest](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-2-3-characteristics-of-a-temperate-forest.md) - [2.2.4 Goods & Services in Temperate Forests](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-2-4-goods-and-services-in-temperate-forests.md) - [2.2.5 Deserts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-2-5-deserts.md) - [2.2.6 Tundra](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-2-6-tundra.md) - 2.3 Urban Environments - [2.3.1 Urbanisation in Different Countries](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-3-1-urbanisation-in-different-countries.md) - [2.3.2 Causes of Urbanisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-3-2-causes-of-urbanisation.md) - [2.3.3 Consequences of Urbanisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-3-3-consequences-of-urbanisation.md) - [2.3.4 Sustainable Urbanisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-3-4-sustainable-urbanisation.md) - [2.3.5 Case Study: Rapid Urbanisation in Mexico City](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-3-5-case-study-rapid-urbanisation-in-mexico-city.md) - [2.3.6 End of Topic Test - Urbanisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-3-6-end-of-topic-test-urbanisation.md) ### 3 Global Issues - 3.1 Fragile Environments & Climate Change - [3.1.1 Natural Causes of Climate Change](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-1-1-natural-causes-of-climate-change.md) - [3.1.2 Effects of Climate Change on the Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-1-2-effects-of-climate-change-on-the-environment.md) - [3.1.3 Effects of Climate Change on People](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-1-3-effects-of-climate-change-on-people.md) - [3.1.4 Impacts of Deforestation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-1-4-impacts-of-deforestation.md) - [3.1.5 End of Topic Test - Climate Change](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-1-5-end-of-topic-test-climate-change.md) - [3.1.6 Increasing Water Supply](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-1-6-increasing-water-supply.md) - [3.1.7 Sustainable Rainforest Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-1-7-sustainable-rainforest-management.md) - 3.2 Globalisation & Migration - [3.2.1 Globalisation - Transport](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-1-globalisation-transport.md) - [3.2.2 Globalisation - Communication Networks & Banking](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-2-globalisation-communication-networks-and-banking.md) - [3.2.3 Push & Pull Factors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-3-push-and-pull-factors.md) - [3.2.4 TNCs & Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-4-tncs-and-globalisation.md) - [3.2.5 Tourism Landscapes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-5-tourism-landscapes.md) - [3.2.6 The Growth of Tourism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-6-the-growth-of-tourism.md) - [3.2.7 The Economic Benefits of Tourism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-7-the-economic-benefits-of-tourism.md) - [3.2.8 The Social & Cultural Benefits of Tourism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-8-the-social-and-cultural-benefits-of-tourism.md) - [3.2.9 The Economic Costs of Tourism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-9-the-economic-costs-of-tourism.md) - [3.2.10 The Social & Cultural Costs of Tourism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-10-the-social-and-cultural-costs-of-tourism.md) - [3.2.11 Managing Tourism - Sustainability](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-11-managing-tourism-sustainability.md) - [3.2.12 Managing Tourism - Quotas & Tourism Hubs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-12-managing-tourism-quotas-and-tourism-hubs.md) - 3.3 Development & Human Welfare - [3.3.1 Ways of Defining Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-3-1-ways-of-defining-development.md) - [3.3.2 Different Ways of Measuring Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-3-2-different-ways-of-measuring-development.md) - [3.3.3 Environmental Factors Causing Uneven Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-3-3-environmental-factors-causing-uneven-development.md) - [3.3.4 Historical Factors Causing Uneven Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-3-4-historical-factors-causing-uneven-development.md) - [3.3.5 Economic Factors Causing Uneven Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-3-5-economic-factors-causing-uneven-development.md) - [3.3.6 Patterns of Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-3-6-patterns-of-development.md) - [3.3.7 How Can we Reduce the Global Development Gap?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-3-7-how-can-we-reduce-the-global-development-gap.md) - [3.3.8 Top-Down & Bottom-Up Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-3-8-top-down-and-bottom-up-development.md)