Coastal landforms are shaped by more than just wave action. Rainfall, winds and physical processes like evaporation, which leaves behind salts that interact with rocks, contribute to changes, potentially forming crevasses. Other factors include natural events like earthquakes and volcanoes, fluctuating sea levels, and human activities such as construction projects. 13.4.2 Which coastal landscape features are created by erosion? Coastal features like cliffs, headlands and caves form as rainfall and wave action erode weak cliff spots, creating notches that develop into caves. Continued erosion causes cliffs to collapse, while water forms deep channels. Destructive waves reshape sandy coastlines by removing sand, destroying dune vegetation and damaging protective structures.
FIGURE3 Coastal landforms created by erosion
Headlands are formed when hard rock resists erosion.
Erosion of softer rock can create a bay.
Rushing water can cause the roof of a cave to collapse, forming a blowhole.
Beach
Bay
Beach
Bay
Headland
Caves form when weak rocks are eroded.
Blowhole
Sea cave
Arch
Stacks used to be part of the headland or coast but have resisted erosion.
Wavecut platform
Rock is undercut and sections fall, creating a cliff.
Erosion between high and low tide undercuts
Over time, caves on either side of a headland can erode to form an arch.
rocks, and a rock platform develops.
Sea stacks
SkillBuilder discussion Concluding and decision-making 1. Why would people choose to build their home in this location? 2. What do you think will happen to these homes over time? 3. Do you think people should be allowed to build
FIGURE4 Destructive waves erode the coastline.
homes on a cliff face? Give reasons for your answer.
TOPIC13 Landforms and landscapes – diversity, significance and management 295
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator