A discordant coastline is where the geology alternates between strata (bands) of soft and hard rock.

Find out more about discordant coastlines.

Soft engineering does not involve building artificial structures but takes a more sustainable and natural approach to manage the coast.

Find out more about soft engineering techniques.

Any three from:

• Waves enter an area of shallow water/waves enter a sheltered area, eg a cove or bay
• There is little wind
• A river or estuary flows into the sea reducing wave energy
• There is a good supply of material and the amount of material being transported is greater than the wave energy can transport.

Find out more about coastal deposition.

A headland is a cliff that sticks out into the sea and is surrounded by water on three sides.

Find out more about headlands.

Beaches beyond the defences (downdrift) are starved of beach material due to it being trapped behind the terminal (last) groyne.

Find out more about hard engineering at the coast.