Case study: coastal landforms - Dorset coastline
Dorset is located in the south of England. Its coastline has examples of many erosional and depositional landforms. For example:
- Swanage is an example of a A high area of land that extends out into the sea. and A low-lying inlet of land on the coast.
- Old Harry Rocks has examples of Recess in a cliff where waves have enlarged a crack in the rock face., A natural rock formation often created by two sea caves eroding backwards towards each other until the back walls disappear., A pillar of rock left standing in the sea when the top of an arch has collapsed. and The remains of a stack which the sea has eroded away.
- at Chesil Beach there is a A spit that has grown across a bay. Also known as barrier beaches.
- Durdle Door is an example of an arch
Swanage Bay
The area around Swanage is made up of bands of hard and soft rock. The soft rock is made of clay and sands, and the hard rock is chalk and limestone. As erosion processes take place, the clay erodes away quicker than the limestone and chalk. This forms headlands and bays, creating Swanage Bay and two headlands - Ballard Point and Durlston Head.
Old Harry Rocks
Old Harry Rocks are located on the headland between Swanage and Studland Bay. The headland is made out of chalk, a hard rock. The headland juts out into the sea, so it is more vulnerable to high-energy waves. This caused the formation of Old Harry, a stack. Over time Old Harry will collapse to form a stump.
Chesil Beach
Chesil Beach is an example of a bar. Sediment has been deposited over time to form a A stretch of beach at one end of a coastline caused by waves depositing material.. The spit has continued to join to the Isle of Portland. Behind the spit there is The Fleet, a lagoon.