Erosional landforms

Question 1

Give 4 factors that affect coastal erosion

Answer 1

• Type of wave
• Shape of coastline
• Rock type
• Rock structure

Question 2

What does weaker rock tend to form?

Answer 2

Wide beaches

Question 3

What does harder rock tend to form?

Answer 3

Steep cliffs or rocky headlands

Question 4

What is a concordant coastline?

Answer 4

Where rocks are parallel to the coastline.
And the amount of erosion will b determined by the resistance of the rock type forming the coastline.

Question 5

What is a discordant coastline?

Answer 5

Where rocks outcrop at right angles to the coast.
Differential erosion may occur due to bands of hard and soft rock - forming headlands and bays.

Question 6

Give an example of a discordant coastline

Answer 6

Jurassic Coast in Dorset

Question 7

Give an example of a concordant coastline

Answer 7

Lulworth cove, Dorset, England

Question 8

How does the type of wave affect erosion?

Answer 8

Destructive waves have a steep angle of break and are high in energy. They degrade the beach due to the scouring action of the strong backwash

Question 9

How does the shape of the coastline affect erosion?

Answer 9

Where they are rocky headlands, these are exposed to the full force of the seas energy.
However, headlands can protect surrounding bays which can be sheltered from erosion

Question 10

What is a cliff?

Answer 10

They are shaped through a combination of erosion and weathering

Question 11

Describe the formation of a cliff and wave cut platform

Answer 11

• Weather weakens the top of the cliff
• The sea attacks the base of the cliff forming a wave-cut notch
• The notch increases in size causing the cliff to collapse
• The backwash carries the rubble back to the sea forming a wave-cut platform
• The process repeats and the cliff continues to retreat

Question 12

How are caves, arches, stacks, and stumps formed?

Answer 12

1. Headlands can have areas of weakness (cracks) which are the focus of wave erosion
2. Hydraulic action and abrasion widens cracks until they form a cave
3. Caves grow until they cut through the headland and form an arch
4. The roof of the arch is prone to weathering and will eventually collapse leaving behind a stack
5. The stack is eroded near its base and wave cut notches will eventually destabilise it
6. Eventually the stack will collapse leaving behind a stump