How do wave cut platforms form?

A wave-cut platform is formed when the following occurs: The sea attacks the base of the cliff between the high and low water mark. A wave-cut notch is formed by erosional processes such as abrasion and hydraulic action – this is a dent in the cliff usually at the level of high tide.

What is a wave-cut platform and how are they formed?

Wave-cut platform, also called Abrasion 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.

How does a wave-cut platform form quizlet?

A flat area of rock in front of a cliff created by cliff retreat. It forms after destructive waves hits against the cliff face, causing undercutting between the high and low water marks, mainly as a result of erosion.

Is a wave cut terrace erosional or depositional?

Usage of term ‘wave-cut’ Shore platforms, like comparable river and lake platforms, are erosional features that develop when removal of saprock and other debris by waves and currents leaves behind a bedrock surface below the water table.

Is a spit erosional or depositional?

Spits are also created by deposition. A spit is an extended stretch of beach material that projects out to sea and is joined to the mainland at one end. Spits are formed where the prevailing wind blows at an angle to the coastline, resulting in longshore drift.

What is an example of a wave-cut platform?

A wave-cut platform is a wide, gently sloping surface found at the cliff’s base and extends into the sea. The sea attacks a weakness in the base of the cliff. For example, this could be a joint in chalk. A wave-cut notch is created by erosional processes such as hydraulic action and abrasion.

How are beaches formed?

A beach forms when waves deposit sand and gravel along the shoreline. and pebbles. Over time they are worn smooth from being rolled around by waves. The rocks usually reflect the local geology.

How a cliff is formed?

Cliffs are usually formed because of processes called erosion and weathering. Weathering happens when natural events, like wind or rain, break up pieces of rock. In coastal areas, strong winds and powerful waves break off soft or grainy rocks from hardier rocks. The harder rocks are left as cliffs.

What does this wave cut platform indicate?

What does this wave-cut platform indicate? A lowering of sea level relative to the land.

Are currents that move sand and water parallel to the beach?

What essentially causes water movement and sand transport parallel to a beach? Sand is deposited from longshore currents.

What is coastal straightening?

Coasts can be rocky and rugged or gently sloped. This process of the headlands being cut back and the flanking beaches being widened is called coastal straightening (Figure 1 ). Figure 1. Coastal Straightening. Constant wave action along a rocky shore creates prominent sea cliffs.

Do wave cut benches indicate rising land?

Marine terraces are elevated step-like benches formed by the combined effects of long-term wave erosion during the rise and fall of sea level on an emergent coastline (Figures 12-19 to 11-22). Marine terraces are old wave-cut benches that have been elevated by the land rising relative to the ocean surface.

How does a wave cut terrace look like?

“Waves act like a horizontal saw which makes a wide cut into the land, extending above and below the level of still water. The portion of the land above the cut breaks away and forms a sea cliff, along the foot of which stretches a level of gently sloping submerged platform or wave-cut terrace.” -Dryer, 1901

How is a wave-cut platform formed?

A wave cut platform is formed when the destructive waves hit the face of the cliff and cause undercutting between the high and low tide marks. This is a result of corrosion and hydraulic action it is called a wave-cut notch and the part of cliff above is called the overhang .

What causes a wave cut on a cliff?

Wave-cut platforms form when destructive waves hit against the cliff face, causing undercutting between the high and low water marks, mainly as a result of abrasion, corrosion and hydraulic action, creating a wave-cut notch.

How old is the Seacliff wave cut platform?

The wave-cut platform becomes increasingly wider as the seacliff retreats. The wave-cut platform becomes a marine terrace if uplift or sea level drop elevates the platform above sea level. Figure 19.6. Photograph of a wave-cut platform across tilted rocks that are part of the circa 38-million-year-old Coaledo Formation.