The bands of soft rock, such as sand and clay, erode more quickly than those of more resistant rock, such as chalk. This leaves a section of land jutting out into the sea called a headland. The areas where the soft rock has eroded away, next to the headland, are called bays.

Find out more about bays and headlands.

The case study location will be identified e.g. Flamborough Head / Durdle Door / Old Harry Rocks.

A bay is an inlet of the sea where the land curves inwards.

Find out more about bays.

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

Find out more about discordant coastlines.

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

Find out more about headlands.