Discuss the importance of both marine and sub-aerial process

On a cliff made from hard rock, such as chalk or Granite in Land’s End, it is likely that marine processes will contribute most towards erosion, whereby a wave-cut platform will be formed. The wave cut platform is created by many forms of coastal erosion, such as hydraulic action and abrasion, from destructive waves. Initially undercutting at the base of the rock, where wave energy is at its greatest, causes a notch to be formed. The processes of undercutting from abrasion, where sand and pebbles collide against the rock breaking of peaces of rock, are continuously repeated increasing the stress and tension in the cliff until it eventually collapses. Abrasion is the most prominent and rapid form of erosion experienced by the cliff but other process also occur, with corrosion, the chemical action on rocks, attrition, the process of particles colliding with the rock face and being broken into smaller sizes, also contributing the retreat of the cliff. Other important forms of coastal erosion also occur, including hydraulic power, where air is trapped and compressed i

Protected beaches, which are commonly found in periglacial climates, such as the Arctic, are again mainly influenced by sub aerial processes rather than marine erosion due to the frozen nature of the sea and its lack of energy to wear away. From the diagram you can see a talus slope has formed due to the fall of material from the cliff but it should also be noted that the cliff above the slope still remains vertical hinting at a lack of marine erosion. The main sub aerial processes contributing to the formation of the talus slope will be from freeze thaw weathering causing frost shattering and in turn providing scree to allow the talus slope to be created. The periglacial climate is ideal for freeze thaw, as fluctuations above and below freezing will be needed. Basal removal will occur in the summer months where the ice begins to melt but little coastal erosion from waves will occur due to the calm nature of the summer months and in turn it will be very unlikely any destructive waves will be of great enough energy to have a major impact on the cliff.

n a crack and eventually pressure builds up causing rocks to break away, and wave pounding, where the sheer force of the waves on the cliff face causing the cliff to erode. Therefore, on hard rocks where a wave cut platform is formed and the hard lithology remains its steepness coastal erosion from destructive waves will be the greater process on the cliff

Some topics in this essay:
Barton Sea, Granite Land’s, , marine erosion, sub aerial, coastal erosion, aerial processes, sub aerial processes, wave cut, cut platform, wave cut platform, destructive waves, talus slope, processes marine erosion, ice age, hydraulic action, caused sub aerial, aerial processes marine,