Headlands

Headlands are large pieces of hard rock which stretch out into the sea, this is how they are formed.

The creation of headlands

Firstly waves attack the coastline alternating soft rock, hard rock.  Headlands are created when the soft rock is worn away but the hard rock remains.  They are a form of erosion.

Caves, Arches, Stacks and Stumps

 The following describes the formation of the above.

1. The line of weakness is attacked by waves by Hydraulic action and abrasion.
2. The fault is enlarged to create a cave.  A blowhole may now appear on the roof of the cave due to upward erosion.
3. Hydraulic action and abrasion then cause the cave to erode to the other side of the headland, leaving an arch.
4. A mix of undercutting, weathering, and lack of support then force the arch to collapse, thus leaving a stack separate from the headland.
5. Weathering and all types of erosion then turn the stack into a stump.