Identifying Coastal Landforms

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Coastal Landforms

Erosion and Coastal Landforms

Identifying coastal landforms that have been shaped by erosion is really easy, and during your exam you might simply be asked whether or not the landforms that you are looking at are the product of erosion.

Unfortunately, it would be very difficult to spot caves and sea arches on a map. This is because maps look down on the world, meaning that you cannot see gaps like caves and sea arches. On the other hand, stacks are very easy to spot. They look like small shapes in the sea. 

You should also find it easy to spot cliffs during your exam, this is because they are usually marked by using little black lines. If there are any wave-cut platforms, then they will look like jagged edges along the coast.

Deposition and Coastal Landforms

Landforms that have been created through means of deposition are slightly different and notoriously easy to spot. For example, the one difference between sand and shingle beaches is that sand beaches are shown in yellow on the map, and shingle beaches have speckles.

Read more about Landforms of Deposition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a coastal landform?

A coastal landform refers to any physical feature or shape that is formed by the interaction of land and water along a coastline.

What are some examples of coastal landforms?

Examples of coastal landforms include beaches, cliffs, sand dunes, estuaries, spits, headlands, sea stacks, and lagoons.

How are cliffs formed as coastal landforms?

Cliffs are formed by the erosion of rocks along a coastline by the continuous action of waves. Over time, the force of the waves breaks down the rock and creates steep, vertical cliffs.

What causes the formation of sand dunes? 

Sand dunes are formed when wind-blown sand accumulates and is shaped by the wind. They are typically found in areas where there is an ample supply of sand, such as beaches or deserts.

How are spits formed as coastal landforms?

Spits are formed by longshore drift, which is the movement of sediment along the shoreline. As sediment is carried by waves and currents, it gradually builds up and extends outward, forming a narrow strip of land connected to the mainland.

Cite/Link to This Article

  • "Identifying Coastal Landforms". Geography Revision. Accessed on March 29, 2024. https://geography-revision.co.uk/gcse/identifying-coastal-landforms/.

  • "Identifying Coastal Landforms". Geography Revision, https://geography-revision.co.uk/gcse/identifying-coastal-landforms/. Accessed 29 March, 2024.

  • Identifying Coastal Landforms. Geography Revision. Retrieved from https://geography-revision.co.uk/gcse/identifying-coastal-landforms/.