A2 Geography Revision for Coastal Environments, subchapter 8.2 Coastal Landforms of Cliffed and Constructive Coasts. It is suitable for Year 13 Geography, Cambridge Examination in November 2016. It contains: key terms and definitions, a topic summary, sketches and descriptions, additional work (6 questions for testing your knowledge) and some suggested websites.

1. A2GEOGRAPHYREVISION
COASTALENVIRONMENTS
8.2 COASTALLANDFORMSOF
CLIFFEDANDCONSTRUCTIVECOASTS

2. KEYTERMSANDDEFINITIONS
Arch is a natural bridge-like feature formed by erosion. Arches are formed
from the erosion of a headland where two caves meet and break through the
headland.
Bar is a depositional feature: a long sandy ridge running parallel to a coastline
that is submerged at high tide. Some bars develop as offshore bars whilst
others form from the development of a spit across the whole of a small bay.
Bay is a wide, open, curving indentation of the sea.
Beach is a feature of coastal deposition, consisting of pebbles on exposed
coasts or sand on sheltered coasts. It is usually defined by the high- and low-
water marks.

4. KEYTERMSANDDEFINITIONS
Coastal cave is formed where relatively resistant rock containing lines of
weakness is exposed to severe wave action.
Cliff is a rock-face along the coast, where coastal erosion, weathering and
mass movements are active and the slope rises steeply (over 45 º) and for
some distance.
The nature of the cliff depends on the nature of the rocks and their hardness
and jointing pattern.
Headland is a coastal promontory with a steep cliff-face projecting into the
sea, also known as a cape.
Offshore bar is a linear ridge of sand or pebbles parallel to the shoreline.
Offshore bars are formed when waves disturb sediments on the seabed and
form them into a submarine ridge or bar.

6. KEYTERMSANDDEFINITIONS
Salt marshes are low-lying areas with salt-tolerant (halophytic) vegetation.
Salt marshes develop around estuaries and on the sheltered side of spits.
Salt marshes usually have a network of creeks and channels by which sea
water enters and leaves the marsh.
Sand dune is a mound or ridge of wind-drifted sand common on coasts and
in deserts. In coastal areas, sand is trapped by vegetation, notably sea couch
grass and marram grass, to form stable dunes.
Spit is a ridge of sand or shingle connected to the land at one end and in the
open sea at the other end. It is formed by the interruption of longshore drift
due to wave refraction, river currents, secondary winds and/or changes in the
shape of the coastline.

7. KEYTERMSANDDEFINITIONS
Stack is an isolated upstanding pillar of rock that has become separated from
a headland by coastal erosion. It is usually formed by the collapse of an arch.
Stump is an eroded stack, which is exposed only at low tide.
Swash is the movement of material up the beach in the direction of the
prevailing wind.
Tombolo is a bar that links an island to the mainland.
Wave-cut platform (abrasion platform / shore platform) is a gently sloping
rock surface found at the base of a coastal cliff. It is covered by water at high
tide but exposed at low tide. It is formed by the erosion (by waves) of a
former cliff face.

8. TOPICSUMMARY
Cliff profiles are very variable and depend on a number of controlling
factors. One major factor is the influence of bedding and jointing.
● Rocky shores can be divided into three main types: sloping shore
platforms, sub-horizontal shore platforms and plunging cliffs.
● As a result of cliff retreat, a platform along the coast is normally created.
● Beach form is affected by the size, shape and composition of materials,
tidal range and wave characteristics.
● A whole variety of materials can be drifted along the coast by waves, fed
by longshore drift.
● A typical beach will have three zones: backshore, foreshore and offshore.

9. TOPICSUMMARY
A berm or shingle ridge is often referred to as a storm beach.
● Swash-aligned coasts are orientated parallel to the crests of the
prevailing waves.
● Drift-aligned coasts are orientated obliquely to the crest of the prevailing
waves.
● A spit is a long, narrow ridge of sand and shingle that is joined at one end
to the mainland.
● If a spit continues to grow lengthwise, it may ultimately link two
headlands to form a bay bar.
● A tombolo is a ridge of material that links an island with the mainland.

10. TOPICSUMMARY
Cuspate forelands consist of shingle ridges deposited in a triangular shape,
and are the result of two separate spits joining or of the combined effects
of two distinct sets of regular storm waves.
● Sand dunes occur where there are strong on-shore winds, a large tidal
range and a good supply of sand.
● Salt marshes are typically found in three locations: low energy coastlines,
behind spits and barrier islands and in estuaries and harbours.
● Vegetation succession can be observed on sand dunes and in salt
marshes.

11. ADDITIONALWORK
1. Describe and explain variations in cliff profiles.
2. Outline the conditions that lead to the formation of depositional
landforms.
3. Account for the formation of barrier islands and tombolos.
4. Briefly explain the succession associated either with sand dunes or salt
marshes.
5. Outline the main ways in which waves may erode cliffs.
6. Explain the formation of spits and bars.

12. SUGGESTEDWEBSITES
http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/pp1693/ for the formation, evolution and stability
of cliffs download the pdf.
www.beachcalifornia.com/beach2.html for information on beaches, with a
slant towards California.
www.csc.noaa.gov/beachnourishment/html/geo/barrier.htm is a very good
site for barrier islands.
www.jurassiccoast.com/278/category/coastalprocesses-142.html contains
links to information on cliffs, bays, headlands and beaches of the Jurassic
Coast, UK.
www.chesilbeach.org/FSG/MBfrmtn.pdf for a detailed review of the
formation of Chesil Beach.
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~sissons/Beachhistory.html for a brief history
of the development of Tahuna Beach, New Zealand.