Coastal Erosion Flashcards
(5 cards)
1
Q
Where is abrasion formed
A
Wave power is concentrated at the cliff base where abrasion forms a wave cut notch
2
Q
What happens after abrasion
A
As the notch grows a cliff over hang develops
3
Q
What happens after the overhang develops
A
The overhang becomes unstable and eventually collapses forming a pile of rock debris. The debris protects the cliff base from further erosion.
4
Q
What happens to the debris over time
A
Overtime the rock debris is eroded by attrition exposing the cliff to erosion again
5
Q
Whats a wave cut platform
A
Over thousands of years, succession of wave cut notches form and the cliff collapses again and again retreating in land. A level area of smooth rock is left where the cliff line once was stretching out to sea called a wave cut platform.
