Erosion by Waves

Wave energy is the driving force behind coastal erosion. As waves crash against cliffs and shorelines, they carry sediments that act like sandpaper, scraping and gradually wearing away the land, creating unique geological formations.

One example of this is wave-cut cliffs, which form when waves repeatedly erode the base of a rocky shore. As the lower portion of the cliff is worn away, the upper sections lose support and eventually collapse, creating steep, vertical rock faces.

As cliffs erode, they leave behind flat, level surfaces known as wave-cut platforms. These platforms extend from the base of the cliff and are often exposed at low tide.

Another landform created by wave erosion is the sea arch. These natural bridges form when powerful waves break through both sides of a rocky headland, carving out an opening.

When a sea arch collapses, it leaves behind an isolated pillar of rock called a sea stack. These towering formations stand alone in the ocean, gradually eroding further until the waves wear them away.