Describe and explain the formation of Headlands and Bays
The Foreland or Peveril Point in Dorset are good examples of headlands with Swanage Bay
between them. Headlands are hard rock outcrops, sticking out into the sea and bays are indents in
the coastline. These features are formed when there are alternate bands of hard (e.g. chalk) and
soft rock (e.g. clay) exposed to wave attach. The rocks are attacked by the waves which are
armed with pebbles (abrasion) and is gradually undercut. It may also be eroded by solution
(dissolved) or by hydraulic action (when waves compress air in small cracks in the rock). Wave
pounding (the sheer force of waves hitting against the cliffs) can also exert huge forces against the
hard rock, particularly in storms. The hard chalk however is not eroded as easily as the clay which
is less resistant and erodes quickly forming a bay with a sandy beach. The more resistant hard
chalk is left sticking out as a headland which now becomes vulnerable to the full force of the
waves.
Named Examples
Processes
Description
Explanation
Describe and explain the formation of Wave Cut Platforms
The Foreland (Dorset Coast) and Flamborough Head (Yorkshire Coast) are good examples of
where there is extensive cliff erosion with wave-cut platforms present. These were formed when
waves attacked the base of the cliff forming a wave-cut notch (an indent in the base of the cliff).
This undercutting is the result of erosion by waves e.g. abrasion (where rocks are hurled against
the cliffs by waves) and wave pounding (the sheer force of water hitting against the cliff face which can be up to 30 tonnes / m2). As the cliff is undercut, the rock above collapses and so the
cliff gradually retreats. A sloping rocky platform known as a wave-cut platform is left behind where
the cliff used to be. This is covered at high tide.
Named Examples
Processes
Description
Explanation
Describe and explain the erosion of a headland
The Foreland, a chalk headland on the Dorset Coast has all of the features of an eroded headland
(caves, arches, stacks and stumps). Old Harry, is a particularly famous example of a stack and
Old Harry's Wife is an example of a stump. These features are formed when a headland is
attacked by the waves - by wave pounding, hydraulic action and solution, particularly along lines of
weakness in the rock. The erosion of a headland begins as erosion exploits a weakness in a rock
forming a cave. If the weakness runs through the headland, two caves may form back to back,
eventually forming an arch, an opening which passes right through the headland. Wave attack
continues at the base of the arch, whilst sub-aerial weathering processes such as freeze-thaw
attack the roof of the arch until it eventually collapses leaving a stack (an isolated column of rock).
Again this is attacked by weathering and erosion processes until it collapses leaving the base,
which forms a stump which is covered at high tide.
Named Examples
Processes
Description
Explanation
Describe and explain the formation of Headlands and Bays
The Foreland or Peveril Point in Dorset are good examples of headlands with Swanage Bay
between them. Headlands are hard rock outcrops, sticking out into the sea and bays are
indents in the coastline. These features are formed when there are alternate bands of hard
(e.g. chalk) and soft rock (e.g. clay) exposed to wave attach. The rocks are attacked by the
waves which are armed with pebbles (abrasion) and is gradually undercut. It may also be eroded
by solution (dissolved) or by hydraulic action (when waves compress air in small cracks in the
rock). Wave pounding (the sheer force of waves hitting against the cliffs) can also exert huge
forces against the hard rock, particularly in storms. The hard chalk however is not eroded as
easily as the clay which is less resistant and erodes quickly forming a bay with a sandy
beach. The more resistant hard chalk is left sticking out as a headland which now becomes
vulnerable to the full force of the waves.
Named Examples
Processes
Description
Explanation
Describe and explain the formation of Wave Cut Platforms
The Foreland (Dorset Coast) and Flamborough Head (Yorkshire Coast) are good examples of
where there is extensive cliff erosion with wave-cut platforms present. These were formed when
waves attacked the base of the cliff forming a wave-cut notch (an indent in the base of the
cliff). This undercutting is the result of erosion by waves e.g. abrasion (where rocks are
hurled against the cliffs by waves) and wave pounding (the sheer force of water hitting against
the cliff face - which can be up to 30 tonnes / m2). As the cliff is undercut, the rock above
collapses and so the cliff gradually retreats. A sloping rocky platform known as a wave-cut
platform is left behind where the cliff used to be. This is covered at high tide.
Named Examples
Processes
Description
Explanation
Describe and explain the erosion of a headland
The Foreland, a chalk headland on the Dorset Coast has all of the features of an eroded
headland (caves, arches, stacks and stumps). Old Harry, is a particularly famous example of a
stack and Old Harry's Wife is an example of a stump. These features are formed when a
headland is attacked by the waves - by wave pounding, hydraulic action and solution,
particularly along lines of weakness in the rock. The erosion of a headland begins as erosion
exploits a weakness in a rock forming a cave. If the weakness runs through the headland,
two caves may form back to back, eventually forming an arch, an opening which passes right
through the headland. Wave attack continues at the base of the arch, whilst sub-aerial
weathering processes such as freeze-thaw attack the roof of the arch until it eventually
collapses leaving a stack (an isolated column of rock). Again this is attacked by weathering
and erosion processes until it collapses leaving the base, which forms a stump which is
covered at high tide.
Named Examples
Processes
Description
Explanation