2.5 - Sharing a Platform

Question 1

Describe Giant’s Causeway Dynamic Equilibrium

Answer 1

• Water permeates through upper basalt + laterite but not the lower basalt (black one)
• Lower basalt undercut by marine erosion + saturated laterite = heavier overhang
• Heavy laterite = stress > strength + lubricated bedding plane = mass movement
• Material falls into bays/platforms + absorbs wave energy = erosion slowed down
• Material breaks down = used for abrasion on cliff = erosion speeds up until it disapepars (erosion slowed down again)
• Waves then attack cliff again = wave cut notch/platform with cliff retreat = dynamic equilbrium