Wave Cut Platforms and Soft
Coastlines
1. To explain how a wave-cut platform is
formed
2. To explain how a soft coastline erodes
3. To predict what erosional features we will
see at different points along the
Holderness Coast
Hard Rock…
Cake Geography!
Cliff line
Joints and beds allow
waves to attack the cliff
more easily
HIGH TIDE LEVEL
Waves can use rocks to
erode the cliff
Wave cut platform
Tom Abbott, Biddulph High
School and made available
Wave cut
notch
High Tide
Low Tide
1
Corrasion occurs between
high and low tide- rocks
are hurled at the base
of the cliff.
Cliff is undercut,
leaving it unstable.
Wave Cut Notch
2
Eroded material
available to
take part in
corrasion.
Cliff retreats
Wave Cut Notch
3
Wave Cut
Platformcorrasion can
not occur below
low tide.
The process of
corrasion will
continue…
Cliff retreats
Wave Cut
Platform.
4
Wave Cut Platforms
Match Statements to your
Diagram
A.The backwash carries the rubble towards
the sea forming a wave-cut platform.
B.The sea attacks the base of the cliff
forming a wave-cut notch.
C.The notch increases in size causing the
cliff to collapse.
D.The process repeats and the cliff
continues to retreat
E.Weather weakens the top of the cliff.
Exam Question
Peer Marking!
Soft Rock
• Text Book Geography!
Page 36
• Read 1st Paragraph
• E.g. Holbeck Hall nr. Scarborough 1993
• Copy Figure 1.58
• Extension Task“Coastal erosion is does
Not cause economic
Problems”- To what
Extent do you agree with this statement and
why?
Using you Holderness Maps, Make 3
Predictions as to what coastal features you
expect to see at each section of the Holderness
Coast
Flamborough Head
Bridlington
Hornsea
Mappleton
Spurn Point