wave-cut platform, gently sloping rock ledge that extends from the high-tide level at the steep-cliff base to below the low-tide level. It develops as a result of wave abrasion; beaches protect the shore from abrasion and therefore prevent the formation of platforms. A wave-cut platform is a wide, gently sloping surface found at the cliff's base and extends into the sea. The image below shows a wave-cut platform formed at Flamborough, Holderness Coast. A wave-cut platform is formed when: The sea attacks a weakness in the base of the cliff. For example, this could be a joint in chalk.
Cliffs and wavecut platforms Geography
A wave-cut platform, shore platform, coastal bench, or wave-cut cliff is the narrow flat area often found at the base of a sea cliff or along the shoreline of a lake, bay, or sea that was created by erosion. Wave-cut platforms are often most obvious at low tide when they become visible as huge areas of flat rock. Sea cliffs The most widespread landforms of erosional coasts are sea cliffs. These very steep to vertical bedrock cliffs range from only a few metres high to hundreds of metres above sea level. Their vertical nature is the result of wave-induced erosion near sea level and the subsequent collapse of rocks at higher elevation. Wave-cut cliffs form where waves cut into the bottom part of the cliff, eroding away the soil and rocks there. First the waves cut a notch into the base of the cliff. If enough material is cut away, the cliff above can collapse into the water. Many years of this type of erosion can form a wave-cut platform (Figure 10.16). The horizontal distance between one wave crest and the next crest, is called the wavelength. Three things influence how big a wave might get. If the wind is very strong, and it blows steadily for a long time over a long distance, the very largest waves will form.
COLOR KEY WaveCut Cliffs Blue WaveCut Platforms Red S...
The process of cliff retreat is enhanced in a wetter climate and is retarded in more arid regions. The wave-cut platform is a horizontal to low-angle seaward-dipping surface that occurs between mean high watermark and wave base. The wave-cut platform may be covered in a thin veneer of reworked sediment or may be bare. Wave erosion undercuts steep shorelines creating coastal cliffs. A sea cliff is a vertical precipice created by waves crashing directly on a steeply inclined slope. Hydraulic action, abrasion, and chemical solution all work to cut a notch at the high water level near the base of the cliff. This wave-cut notch will become larger leaving the cliff above it unsupported. Eventually the wave-cut notch becomes so large that the overhanging cliff collapses due to gravity - the cliff above will have already be weakened by processes of weathering. Hydraulic action, abrasion and freeze-thaw weathering will repeat the process of wave-cut. First Online: 11 November 2019 Download reference work entry PDF This is a landscape consisting of steep cliffs on a rocky coast carved by marine erosion and gravitational collapse along joints or bedding. The formation process is as follows. The slope near the shore is steep and is subject to wave action.
Wave Erosion
wave-cut cliff wave-cut platform Introduction Waves are important for building up and breaking down shorelines. Waves transport sand onto and off of beaches. They transport sand along beaches. Waves carve structures at the shore. Wave Action and Erosion All waves are energy traveling through some type of material, such as water ( Figure below ). . Erosional features such as wave-cut platforms and cliffs can be found on headlands, since they are more open to the waves. Bays are more sheltered with constructive waves which deposit.
A wave-cut bench is a flat bench-like platform of rock typically preserved in the upper surf zone associated with an actively eroding sea cliff on an emergent coastline (Figures 12-14 and 12-17, also see marine terraces below). Figure 12.13. Sea cliff rise above the wave-cut platform (with beach) at Del Mar Dog Beach, CA. Figure 12.14. A wave-cut close wave cut platform An erosion feature that is left behind as a cliff is eroded backwards over time. platform is the bedrock that is left behind as the cliff moves backwards.
Shore (wavecut) platform and cliffs (Nash Point, Flickr
Areas that stick out into the water are eroded by the strong wave energy that concentrates its power on the wave-cut cliff. A wave-cut platform is the level area formed by wave erosion as the waves undercut a cliff. An arch is produced when waves erode through a cliff. Landforms From Wave Erosion. Erosion by waves can create unique landforms (Figure below).Wave-cut cliffs form when waves erode a rocky shoreline. They create a vertical wall of exposed rock layers. Wave-cut platforms are level areas formed by wave erosion. Since these platforms are above sea level, it means that either sea level was higher relative or the rock was lower.
