Processes of erosion and landforms

Processes of erosion and landforms

1. Weathering

   • Freeze thaw
   • Salt crystallisaton
   • Wetting and drying
   • Solution
   • Carbonation
   • Biotic weathering - roots of seaweed, acid secretions by limpets/barnacles/seagulls

2. Erosion

   • Corrosion
     • Hydraulic action
   • Abrasion
     • Attrition

3. Landforms

   • Cliffs - rocky faces that develop along coastlines where marine undercutting has been ongoing
     • Undercutting at base leads to wave-cut notch, collapses by fall or slumping, progressive retreat leads to wave-cut platform
   • Caves develop where lines of weakness are exploited, arches develop where caves erode back to back on headlands, stacks result when arch collapses
     • Stumps remain where stacks collapse

4. Landforms from rise of sea level are either from eustatic rise or local areas of subsidence

   • Submergence of land by an encroaching sea causes landforms such as rias and fjords
   • Eustatic adjustment - worldwide change in sea level. Isostatic readjustment is localised change in sea level due to changes (ice removed from land)