Erosional landforms: Headlands and wave-cut platforms

Question 1

Explain the formation of a stump

Answer 1

The sea attacks the base of the cliff and erodes joints and cracks by hydraulic action, abrasion and solution, these cracks develop into small caves, erosion widens the cave, two caves eventually erode into the back of each other forming an arch, a combination of wave attack at the base of the arch, and weathering of the roof of the arch weakens the structure until eventually the roof of the arch collapses leaving a stack, the stack continues to erode, collapsing to form a stump

Question 2

Explain the formation of a wave-cut platform

Answer 2

The sea attacks the base of the cliff between the high and low water mark along a headland, a wave-cut notch is formed by erosional processes such as abrasion and hydraulic action, as the notch increases in size, the cliff becomes unstable and collapses, leading to the retreat of the cliff face, the backwash carries away the eroded material, leaving a wave-cut platform, the process repeats and the cliff continues to retreat

Question 3

What is a wave cut notch

Answer 3

An area of erosion at the base of a cliff

Question 4

What is an area of erosion at the base of a cliff

Answer 4

A wave cut notch

Question 5

What is a wave cut platform

Answer 5

A gently sloping rock ledge that extends from the high-tide level to below the low-tide level

Question 6

What is a gently sloping rock ledge that extends from the high-tide level to below the low-tide level

Answer 6

A wave cut platform