The document describes several landforms produced by wave erosion along coastlines including: - Stacks, which are pillars of rock isolated from the cliff due to wave erosion. - Headlands, which are parts of the coastline that jut out into the sea, often ending in cliffs. - Bays, which are wide curved inlets formed along coastlines with weaker, more erodible rock. - Arches and caves, which are openings formed when waves erode through headlands or into cliffs.

1. Stack
• A pillar for rock
which has been
isolated from the
cliff due to the
erosive nature of
the waves.
LANDFORMS PRODUCED BY WAVE EROSION

2. LANDFORMS PRODUCED BY WAVE
EROSION
Headland
• This is a part of
the coastline that
juts out into the
sea and usually
ends in a cliff.
Bay
• A wide curved inlet
of a sea.

3. HEADLANDS, BAYS AND BEACHES
1. a. Waves attack both sides of a
headland, producing caves;
2. b. Sometimes these are eroded right
through the headland to form arches.
3. c. When the roof of the arch collapses
it leaves a pillar or stack;
4. d. When the stack collapses it leaves a
stump.

4. Arch
• An opening through
a rock.
Cave
• A deep hollow
produced by the
action of the waves
usually at the foot
of a cliff.
LANDFORMS PRODUCED BY WAVE EROSION

5. LANDFORMS PRODUCED BY WAVE EROSION
Wave cut notch
• The foot of the
cliff which is
undercut.
Wave cut platform
• This is the gently
sloping land left on
the foot of a
retreating cliff.

6. Formation of headlands and bays
Sea attacking a coastline
of varying resistance will
erode the weaker rock
more quickly
The result is that a series
of headlands form on the
harder rocks………
…..and sheltered bays
form in the weaker rocks

7. WAVE CUT PLATFORM

8. 1
2 3 5
6
4

9. Development of Old Harry

10. BLOW HOLES
• Caves develop well in jointed rocks as
bedding planes are open by abrasion
and hydraulic action. If a joint runs
from the cave to the cliff top the
hydraulic action can eventually force
this joint open like a chimney inside
the cliff .

12. Back to Start Coasts Page