10.5 Headlands and bays

Question 1

Describe the characteristics of headlands

Answer 1

Headlands:
- composed of hard rock such as granite (Old Harry Rocks, Dorset)
- eroded by destructive waves, often forming caves in its sides
- protrude out to sea
- near vertical cliff face

Question 2

Describe the characteristics of bays

Answer 2

• soft rock such as sand or clay form a crescent shaped indentation between two headlands
• beaches can be 3km long (Swanage Bay, Dorset)
• Low energy constructive waves

Question 3

Explain the formation of headlands and bays (6 marks)

Answer 3

• Dorset is a discordant coastline with different rates of erosion due to alternating rock at right angles to the coastline
• the softer less resistant rock (swanage bay) erodes more quickly than the harder rock (Durlston Head)
• this creates headlands (which protrude) and bays (which are crescent shaped indentations in the land)
• over time the rate of erosion increases on the headland due to wave refraction (the destructive waves take on the shape of the coastline)
• constructive waves are lower in energy and deposit sediment in the bay, creating a beach

Question 4

What is a discordant coastline

Answer 4

Alternating layers of rock run at right angles to the coastline

Question 5

What is a concordant coastline

Answer 5

Alternating layers of rock running parallel to the coast