What is Coastal Landform?
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Coastal landforms are any of the relief features which are there along any coast. This is the result of the combination of processes, sediments, and also the geological structure on the coast itself.
The coastal environment of the world is processed with a wide variety of landforms that are manifested in a spectrum of sizes and different shapes which ranges from the gently sloping beaches to the high towering cliffs. The coastal landforms are best considering the two broad categories: erosional and depositional.
Name Some Coastal Landforms
The different types of Coastal Landforms are as follows:
Among the Erosional Coastal landform types:
Sea Cliffs
These are the most widespread landforms which are formed due to the erosional coasts. The coastal landforms range from very steep to vertical bedrock cliffs which are only a few metres high to hundreds of metres above sea level.
Wave Cut Platform
At the base of most cliffs also along the rocky coast, one can find a flat structure on the mid-tide elevation. This structure is like a benchlike feature which is called a wave-cut platform. These surfaces may range from a few metres to hundreds of metres wide.
Sea Stacks
Erosion which might occur along the rocky coasts at various rates is dependent both on the rock type and on the wave energy at this particular site.
Sea Arches
Yet another spectacular type of erosional landform is this sea arch, which forms as the result of different rates of erosion generally because of the varied resistance of bedrock.
Marine Landforms
To understand Marine Landform, we can study the various points:
The sea waves are aided by the winds, by the currents, and the tides. The storms carry on the erosional and depositional processes to form these landforms.
The erosion process at the sea depends upon the size and the strength of the waves, slope, height of the shore which is between the low and the high tides, and the shape of the coast, the composition of rocks, depth of the water, human activity etc.
The wave pressure compresses in the air that is trapped inside the rock fissures, joints, faults, etc. which, in turn, forces the air to expand and to rupture and break the rocks at their weak points.
Waves also use rock debris as a means of erosion. These rock fragments that are carried between the waves themselves get worn down.
The solvent or the chemical action of these waves is another mode of erosion process.
Coastal Features
The coast is the strip of land that meets an ocean or the sea. Coasts have many different features like caves and cliffs, beaches and mudflats. The Tides, waves, and water currents shape the land to form the coastal features.
Coastal Depositional Landforms
The landforms of the Coastal Deposition occur when the sea drops or deposits the material. This phenomenon includes sand, sediment and the shingle which results in the formation of landforms of coastal deposition.
Coastal Processes and Landforms
The landforms which develop and stay along the coast are the result of a combination of the processes which acts upon the sediments and the rocks that are present in the coastal zone. Among the most prominent of these processes involves the waves and the currents which are being generated along with the tides.
Features of Coastal Deposition
Features of coastal deposition are the features of deposition that are found in the coastal areas between the high and low tide. This is normally found in those areas where there is an inlet or a sheltered area, between the headlands or a change in the coastline that causes the sediment to be trapped and to build up.
Beach Landform
The beach is the general that area is between the lowest spring tide level and between the point reached by the storm waves in the highest tides. Every other beach is different but all are usually made up of material that is deposited on the wave-cut platform. These beaches are formed from sand, sand and the shingle, also known as the pebbles. They also can be formed from the processing of the mud and silt.
FAQs on Coastal Landform
1. What exactly is a coastal landform?
A coastal landform is any natural feature found along the shoreline where the land meets the sea. These features are constantly being shaped by the action of waves, tides, and currents. This process involves both the wearing away of rock (erosion) and the building up of sediment (deposition), creating a dynamic environment.
2. How are the major coastal landforms created?
Coastal landforms are created by two main natural processes:
- Erosion: Powerful waves crash against the coast, breaking down rock and carrying away sediment. This action carves out features like cliffs, sea caves, and sea arches.
- Deposition: When waves and currents lose energy, they drop the sand and silt they are carrying. This process builds up new landforms such as beaches, spits, and bars.
3. What are the two main categories of coastal landforms?
Coastal landforms are broadly classified based on how they are formed:
- Erosional Landforms: These are created by the removal of rock and sediment. Common examples include sea cliffs, wave-cut platforms, sea caves, and sea stacks.
- Depositional Landforms: These are formed by the accumulation of sediment. Well-known examples include beaches, sand spits, and lagoons.
4. What is the difference between a sea arch and a sea stack?
A sea arch and a sea stack represent two different stages of coastal erosion on a headland. A sea arch is a natural bridge-like feature formed when waves erode a sea cave right through the rock. Over time, the roof of the arch can weaken and collapse, leaving behind a tall, isolated pillar of rock in the sea known as a sea stack.
5. Why are beaches considered to be temporary or dynamic landforms?
Beaches are described as dynamic because their shape and size are constantly changing. The sand on a beach is always being moved by waves, wind, and currents, particularly through a process called longshore drift. A single storm can remove large amounts of sand, while calmer weather can help rebuild it, making beaches very temporary features.
6. What are some examples of coastal landforms found in India?
India's long coastline features many excellent examples of coastal landforms. For instance, the famous Marina Beach in Chennai and the beaches of Goa are classic depositional landforms. The Kerala Backwaters are a well-known system of lagoons running parallel to the coast. The cliffs at Varkala in Kerala are a prominent example of an erosional coastal feature.
7. How do coastal cliffs form and retreat over time?
Coastal cliffs are steep rock faces along the sea. They form when waves repeatedly attack the base of the rock, a process called undercutting. This creates a notch at the base of the cliff. As the notch gets deeper, the rock above it becomes unsupported and eventually collapses, causing the cliff to gradually move or retreat inland.
