Concordant And Discordant Coastlines

Question 1

What is a concordant coastline?

Answer 1

A concordant or Pacific coastline occurs where layers of differing rock types are folded into ridges that run parallel to the coast. The outer hard rock (for example, granite) provides a protective barrier to erosion of the softer rocks (for example, clays) further inland.

Question 2

What is a Discordant coastline?

Answer 2

A discordant coastline occurs where bands of different rock type run perpendicular to the coast. The differing resistance to erosion leads to the formation of headlands and bays.

Question 3

Features found on a concordant coastline?

Answer 3

One rock type, normally hard no bays or headlands

Question 4

Features found on a discordant coastline?

Answer 4

Many rock types, normally calmer conditions and occurrence of bays and headlands

Question 5

Hard rock?

Answer 5

Is a lot more resistant and forms headlands E.G chalk

Question 6

Soft rock?

Answer 6

Is less resistant forms bays and erodes easily E.G sandstone, mudstone, shale, grey wacke.