Mon Prof Augmenté
Coastal erosion landforms
Age 14 · Geography
Waves hit weak spots in a rocky headland and slowly wear them away. Over time a crack can grow into a cave, then an arch, then a stack, and finally a stump.
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In the picture
- A narrow crack at the waterline: a thin opening where waves force water into the rock.
- A sea cave: a deep hollow worn into the headland.
- A natural arch: a rock bridge left when a cave is worn through.
- A stack: a tall isolated rock pillar standing offshore.
- A stump: a low rock remnant just above the waves.
Examples
- Durdle Door in England is a natural sea arch.
- The Old Man of Hoy in Scotland is a sea stack.
Key takeaways
- Waves exploit cracks and weak rock, especially at the waterline.
- Continued erosion can turn a headland into a cave, arch, stack and stump.
Quiz: Coastal erosion landforms (Age 14)
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What is the correct order in which these coastal erosion landforms can develop?
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According to the card, how do waves begin to wear away a rocky headland?
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What is a stack?
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