Corrosion/solution is when certain types of cliff erode as a result of weak acids in the sea.

Find out more about the processes of coastal erosion.

Groynes trap material being transported by longshore drift. This builds up a wide beach which helps absorb energy from waves, reducing the rate of cliff erosion.

Find out more about hard engineering at the coast.

Beach material is bounced along the seafloor.

Find out more about coastal transportation.

Destructive waves

Find out more about destructive waves.

The sea attacks a weakness in the base of the cliff. For example, this could be a joint in chalk. A wave-cut notch is created by erosional processes such as hydraulic action and abrasion. As the notch becomes larger the cliff becomes unstable and collapses as the result of gravity. The cliff retreats inland. The material from the collapsed cliff face is eroded and transported away. This leaves a wave-cut platform. The process repeats over time.

Find out more about the formation of a wave-cut platform.