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.

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A wave-cut platform is a wide, gently sloping surface found at the base of the cliff and extends into the sea.

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A concordant coastline is where the same rock runs along the length of the coast. Concordant coastlines tend to have fewer bays and headlands.

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

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

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