Coastal Erosion Landforms

Question 1

What type of coastlines make erosion formations?

Answer 1

High energy coastlines

Question 2

Explain the formation of wave cut platforms:

Answer 2

Powerful destructive waves (hydraulic action and abrasion) attack the base of the cliff at high tide, this create a wave cut notch which over time increases in size called undercutting, eventually the overhang created by the undercutting will collapse due to gravity, the cliff retreats leaving a wave cut platform exposed at low tide

Question 3

Explain the formation of cave, arch, stacks and stumps:

Answer 3

At headlands wheee rock is hard and erosion is slow, wave refraction concertase wave energy onto the headland and can contribute to the formation of cave, arch, stacks and stumps, joints in the headland are susceptible to erosion by hydraulic action, over time the joints widen forming a cave which is enlarged by hydraulic action and abrasion, eventually erosion cuts through the headland forming an arch, the roof of the cave will eventually collapse due ro gravity and lack of support, this leaves a stack which will over time be eroded by weathering, abrasion and hydraulic action to form a stump