Exploring Coastal Landforms: GCSE Geography Guide

Libby

13/12/2025

Geography

Coastal landforms

•

13 Dec 2025

•

1 page

Exploring Coastal Landforms: GCSE Geography Guide

Libby

@libbyygraceex

Ever wonder why some coastlines have dramatic cliffs and rocky... Show more

BAYS
(1) soft rocks or rocks with lots.
resistance.
Joines have
OF JON
to erosion.
(2) Headlands + bays form where
there are alternating
ban

Coastal Erosion and Landforms

Your coastline is constantly changing, and it all starts with wave erosion. Waves are incredibly powerful forces that wear away rock through three main processes you need to know.

Hydraulic action happens when waves crash into cliffs and compress air into tiny cracks in the rock. This pressure builds up and literally blows the rock apart from the inside - think of it like nature's demolition work. Abrasion is when waves pick up stones and sand, then hurl them against cliffs like a giant sandblaster. Finally, attrition occurs when all those broken rock pieces smash into each other in the water, grinding down into smaller and smaller fragments.

Headlands and bays form because not all rocks are equally tough. Where you have alternating bands of hard and soft rock, waves erode the weaker sections faster, creating curved bays. The harder rock remains sticking out as headlands - those dramatic cliff points you see along coastlines.

As waves continue their relentless attack on headlands, they create an amazing sequence of landforms: cracks widen into caves, caves break through to form arches, and when arches collapse, they leave isolated stacks standing in the sea.

Quick Tip: Remember the sequence - cracks → caves → arches → stacks. It's a classic exam question!

Meanwhile, wave erosion at the base of cliffs creates a wave-cut notch that eventually causes the cliff above to collapse. Over time, this process creates a wave-cut platform - that flat rocky area you sometimes see exposed at low tide. Mass movement also plays a role through slides $straight-line movement$ , slumps (rotational movement), and rockfall (material breaking and tumbling down slopes).

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Geography

•

13 Dec 2025

•

1 page

Exploring Coastal Landforms: GCSE Geography Guide

Libby

@libbyygraceex

Ever wonder why some coastlines have dramatic cliffs and rocky outcrops whilst others feature gentle curved beaches? It's all about how waves attack different types of rock and the fascinating landforms they create over time.

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Coastal Erosion and Landforms

Your coastline is constantly changing, and it all starts with wave erosion. Waves are incredibly powerful forces that wear away rock through three main processes you need to know.

Quick Tip: Remember the sequence - cracks → caves → arches → stacks. It's a classic exam question!

We thought you’d never ask...

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Stefan S

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Samantha Klich

Android user

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Basil

Android user

David K

iOS user

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

Rohan U

Android user

Xander S

iOS user

Elisha

iOS user

Paul T

iOS user

Stefan S

iOS user

Samantha Klich

Android user

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Basil

Android user

David K

iOS user

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

Rohan U

Android user

Xander S

iOS user

Elisha

iOS user

Paul T

iOS user