Cliffs, wave cut platforms and notches

Seven Sisters chalk cliffs on the East Sussex coast

One of the most common features of the coastline in Britain and around the world is a cliff. Cliffs are shaped through a combination of erosion and weathering [weathering: the breakdown of rocks ]. The weather attacks the cliff top. The waves attack the cliff foot, causing a wave-cut notch at the bottom, particularly where waves break in a similar place all the time.

Soft rock erodes easily and creates gently sloping cliffs. Hard rock is more resistant and erodes slowly and creates steep cliffs.

The erosion of cliffs

1. Weather weakens the top of the cliff.
2. The sea attacks the base of the cliff forming a wave-cut notch.
3. The notch increases in size causing the cliff to collapse.
4. The backwash carries the rubble towards the sea forming a wave-cut platform.
5. The process repeats itself and the cliff continues to retreat.