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Coastal Erosion: Processes and Landforms

This document summarizes coastal erosion landforms and processes. It describes how hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition, corrosion, and subaerial processes shape coastlines. Specific landforms that form through coastal erosion are identified, including headlands and bays, wave-cut notches and platforms, cliffs, cracks/inlets/geos, sea caves, natural arches, stacks, and stumps. Examples from locations in the UK help illustrate how these landforms develop progressively through coastal erosion over time.

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19K views

Coastal Erosion: Processes and Landforms

This document summarizes coastal erosion landforms and processes. It describes how hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition, corrosion, and subaerial processes shape coastlines. Specific landforms that form through coastal erosion are identified, including headlands and bays, wave-cut notches and platforms, cliffs, cracks/inlets/geos, sea caves, natural arches, stacks, and stumps. Examples from locations in the UK help illustrate how these landforms develop progressively through coastal erosion over time.

Uploaded by

eyreg
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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COASTAL EROSION

Processes & Landforms found at


Headlands.
Hydraulic Action

Wave approaches the cliff. Note cracks exaggerated In Wave reaches the cliff & the air trapped by
size the wave is compressed into the crack.

Wave rebounds from the cliff & the compressed air


escapes explosively, enlarging the cracks & ripping
bits of rock off.

HYDRAULIC ACTION
Abrasion & Attrition (Corrasion)
Abrasion. Attrition
• The waves pick up the • As the sediment is
sediment & hurl it hurled against the
against the cliffs (uses cliff, bits are chipped
the sediment as off, the sediment gets
ammunition). smaller & rounder.
• Also as sediment roll
against each other on a
beach.
Corrosion (Solution)

• Salt & other chemicals in sea water attack


& dissolve the cliffs.
Sub Aerial Processes
• The previous processes are caused by wave
action & are called CLIFF FOOT
PROCESSES.
• Sub Aerial processes are slope processes
(see notes on rivers) ie weathering & mass
movement, theses are called CLIFF FACE
PROCESSES
• Click
Headlands & Bays
Headland & Bay
• Where the rock is hard
a Headland is left
outstanding
• Where there is softer
rock erosion carves
out a bay.

• Man O’ War Bay


Near Lulworth, Dorset
Headland & Bay
• On a larger
scale
(Hard) geological
differences
influence the
whole shape
(Soft) of the
coastline, as
here in N.
Devon.
Headlands & Bays
Wave Cut Notch

• Wave attack is
concentrated at the
foot of the cliff.
• The waves cut a notch
in to the cliff foot

• Flamborough Head,
North Yorkshire
Wave Cut Platform
• The cliff above the
wave cut notch
eventually collapses
leaving the cliff
further back.
• Repeat this process &
a wave cut platform is
left at the cliff foot,
indicating retreat.

Fairlight Head, E. Sussex


Wave Cut Platform –Hartland Quay, N Devon
Cliff
• Constant wave attack
at the base & a hard
rock leave a steep,
near vertical cliff.

• Fairlight head, E.
Sussex.
Chalk Cliff, Ballard Point, Dorset
Crack, Inlet or Geo

• Wave attack picks out


cracks, joints &
weaknesses in the cliff.
• In time these weaknesses
are widened, to form
inlets or Geos

• Fairlight Head, E.
Sussex
Sea Cave
• The inlet is further
widened & deepened
to form a cave

• Fairlight Head, E.
Sussex
• Sea Cave
forming in
N. Devon
along a
geological
weakness.
Natural Arch

• Eventually the cave


deepens enough for it
to pass through the
headland, or it meets
another cave coming
the opposite direction.
• London Bridge,
Australia
Durdle Door, Dorset
Green Bridge of Wales, Pembrokeshire
Stack

• Continual erosion of
the arch causes the
roof to become
unstable & collapse
• The Twelve Apostles,
Australia.
Old Harry Rock,
Dorset

The Pinnacle, Dorset.


Mupe Rock, Dorset.
Stump

Continual attack of
the stack reduces its
height & width & it
gradually disappears

Land’s End,
Cornwall
Stump

Animation
Old Harry Past & Present
Stages in coastal Development

• a) geological weakness (e.g. fault) forming a geo.


• b) formation of sea cave by marine erosion.
c) enlargement of cave to form arch.
• d) collapse of arch to form stack.
e) removal of stack to create a stump.
Flamborough Head
This example from N. Yorkshire illustrates how
many of the features are found together.

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