
What are three landforms created by wave erosion?
- 1. Wave-cut platform - flat plane of rock, providing evidence of parallel retreat. Formed where marine processes undermine the basal support of rocks (with horizontally-bedded strata) and so trigger cliff failure.
- 2. Stack - fin of rock, formed at promontories (headlands). e.g. Durdle Door, UK
- 3. Stump
- Wave-cut cliffs form when waves erode a rocky shoreline. They create a vertical wall of exposed rock layers.
- Sea arches form when waves erode both sides of a cliff. They create a hole in the cliff.
- Sea stacks form when waves erode the top of a sea arch. This leaves behind pillars of rock.
What landforms are created by erosion?
Landforms created by erosion. The coastline is constantly eroding. There are four key types of erosion: Abrasion - waves transport material which hit the cliff and gradually wear it away. Hydraulic action - as waves approach the coast they trap air and force it into gaps in the cliff. Eventually this weakens the rock. Attrition - waves cause...
What landforms are created by ocean waves?
Ocean waves have a tremendous amount of energy and so they may do a great deal of erosion. Some landforms created by erosion are platforms, arches, and sea stacks. Transported sand will eventually be deposited on beaches, spits, or barrier islands.
What are the main features of wave erosion?
Other features of wave erosion are pictured and named in Figure below. A wave-cut platform is the level area formed by wave erosion as the waves undercut a cliff. An arch is produced when waves erode through a cliff. When a sea arch collapses, the isolated towers of rocks that remain are known as sea stacks.
What landforms are created by deposition?
Landforms created by deposition include spits, salt marshes and beaches. The coastline is constantly eroding. There are four key types of erosion: Abrasion - waves transport material which hit the cliff and gradually wear it away.

What are the stages of cliff retreat?
Stages in cliff retreat. Waves attack the bottom of the cliff, particularly during storms and at high tide. Eventually a wave-cut notch is formed. At the same time weathering attacks and weakens the top of the cliff.
What are the four types of erosion?
The coastline is constantly eroding. There are four key types of erosion: Abrasion - waves transport material which hit the cliff and gradually wear it away. Hydraulic action - as waves approach the coast they trap air and force it into gaps in the cliff. Eventually this weakens the rock.
What landforms are created by erosion?
Coastal landforms created by erosion include headlands, bays and cliffs. Landforms created by deposition include spits, salt marshes and beaches.
Why are headlands vulnerable to erosion?
Headlands can be vulnerable to erosion because they stand out from the rest of the coast. Over time, other features may develop on a headland:
What are the causes of landform changes?
In addition, changes in landforms can be a result of wind erosion, weathering and sub-aerial processes such as mass movement.
What happens to the weakened cliff?
The weakened cliff is left unsupported and eventually collapses.
What causes rocks to crash against each other?
Attrition - waves cause the rocks to crash against each other, breaking them down into smaller and rounder pieces.
