View images of coastal environments in the coastal gallery.
Video
View videos of coastal environments in the coastal video gallery.
Cliff Recession
Erosion is greatest when waves break at the foot of a cliff. This causes erosion at the base of the cliff. This creates a wave-cut notch in the base of the cliff. As the notch increases in size the weight of the cliffs above become too much and the cliff collapses. This material will provide temporary protection for the cliff behind. However, once it has been removed by the sea this process will occur again. Where cliffs are made of more resistant material, wave cut platforms will be created.
Landforms overview
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Bays and headlands
Headlands form along coastlines in which bands of soft and hard rock outcrop at right angles to the coastline (see image below). Due to the different nature of the rock erosion occurs at different rates. Less resistant rock (e.g. boulder clay) erodes more rapidly than less resistant rock (e.g. chalk).
The image below shows the landforms that result from the different rates of erosion.
Erosion of a headland A headland is an area of hard rock which sticks out into the sea. Headlands form in areas of alternating hard and soft rock. Where the soft rock erodes bays are formed either side of the headland. As the headland becomes more exposed to the wind and waves the rate of its erosion increases. When headlands erode they create distinct features such as caves, arches, stacks and stumps.
The diagram below shows the sequence in the erosion of a headland.
Stage 1
Waves attack a weakness in the headland.
Stage 2
A cave is formed.
Stage 3
Eventually the cave erodes through the headland to form an arch.
Stage 4
The roof of the arch collapses leaving a column of rock called a stack.
