COASTAL LANDFORMS

: A COMPREHENSIVE
STUDY
 PRESENTED
BY
NAME : SHREYA YUGAL
ROLL NO. : 3040
PAPER NAME : GEOMORPHOLOGY
COASTAL LANDFORMS
 COASTAL LANDFORMS
What is a Coastline?
A coastline is the boundary between the edge of a landmass and a body of water. The term
''coastal'' refers to an object, in this case, a landform, that is present on the coastline. An
example of a coastal area is the Western Coast of the United States, which includes
Washington, Oregon, and California. Another example is the eastern border of Brazil.

Coastal landforms are a diverse range of physical features that are shaped by the processes
occurring at the boundary between land and sea. These landforms result from the interaction
of various natural forces, including waves, tides, currents, wind, and geological processes.
Coastal environments are dynamic and ever-changing, and these landforms are constantly
evolving due to the continuous action of these forces.
 HOW ARE COASTAL LANDFORMS
FORMED?
1. Geology
The underlying geology of a coastal area plays a significant role in shaping
landforms. The type of rock or sediment, its hardness, and resistance to erosion
influence the development of features such as cliffs, headlands, and beaches.

2. Tectonic Activity
Coastal landforms can be affected by tectonic processes, such as the movement
of tectonic plates. Subsidence or uplift of the land due to tectonic activity can
cause changes in coastal topography, leading to the formation of bays, estuaries,
or raised beaches.
TECTONIC MOVEMENT
HOW ARE COASTAL LANDFORMS FORMED?
Coastal landforms can be formed either by erosion or by deposition.

3. Wave Action: Waves are a dominant force shaping coastal landforms. The energy and direction of waves
determine the erosional and depositional processes occurring along the coast. High-energy waves erode
cliffs and headlands, creating features like sea caves, arches, and stacks, while low-energy waves deposit
sediment, forming beaches and sandbars.

There are four types of erosion by waves:

• Abrasion – waves carry material which thrashes against the cliff and progressively disintegrate it.
• Hydraulic action – waves while approaching the coast trap air and push it into breaks of the cliff. This
eventually makes the rock weak.
• Corrosion – the rock salts gradually get corroded by acids in seawater over thousands of years. This is also
known as a solution.
• Attrition – waves make the rocks to smash against each other, which breaks them down into smaller and
rounded parts.
 HOW ARE COASTAL LANDFORMS
FORMED?
4. Sea Currents
A longshore current is a current that flows parallel to the shore within the zone of
breaking waves. Longshore currents develop when waves approach a beach at an angle.
Longshore currents cause sediment transport called longshore drift. Longshore drift is
the movement of sediments along a coast by waves that approach at an angle to the shore
but then the swash recedes directly away from it. The water in a longshore current flows
up onto the beach, and then back into the ocean in a “sheet-like” formation. As this sheet
of water moves on and off the beach, it can transport beach sediment back out to sea.
Objects floating in the longshore current move in a zigzag pattern up and down the
beach as it moves down current.
 HOW ARE COASTAL LANDFORMS
FORMED?

5. Sea Level Changes

Fluctuations in sea level, both short-term (tides, storm surges)
and long-term (global sea level rise), strongly influence coastal
landforms. Rising sea levels can lead to the erosion and
submergence of low-lying areas, the formation of barrier
islands, and the reshaping of deltas.
 HOW ARE COASTAL LANDFORMS
FORMED?
6. Tides
Tides are the regular movement of seawater due to astronomical conditions.
Coasts have been classified depending on the type of tides formed them. They
are micro-tidal (less than two meters), meso-tidal (two to four meters), and
macro-tidal (more than four meters).

Tides play two types of role in the formation of landforms. First, tidal currents
transport massive quantities of sediments and even erode the rock bed. Second,
the tides help shape the shoreline by changing the depth of water along with it.
 HOW ARE COASTAL LANDFORMS
FORMED?
7. Wind, Rain, and Weathering
There is also erosion by wind, weathering, sub-aerial processes, and mass movement.
Wind acts both as an element that erodes the rocks and a force that determines the
direction of the waves. The seasonal pattern of the winds gets directly translated into
different kinds of sea currents that are, in turn, responsible for diversity in the coastal
landforms. Thus, the wind has a direct and indirect effect on the formation of coastal
landforms. Coastal dunes are primarily the result of direct impacts of onshore wind
movements.
 HOW ARE COASTAL LANDFORMS
FORMED?

8. Rainfall and Temperature

Forces like rainfall and temperature are other factors behind the formation of
coastal landforms. Rainfall is responsible for transportation of sediment to
the coast through the runoff in the form of streams. But temperature impacts
in a different way. It causes physical weathering of the rocks in warm regions
and fragments in the rock in the cold areas when water freezes inside the
holes of the rock and expand to create a crack in it and thereby yield
sediments.
 HOW ARE COASTAL LANDFORMS
FORMED?
9. Gravity
Gravity has a significant role to play in coastal processes. Besides having an
indirect impact on wind and wave movements, gravity directly determines the
downslope movement of sediment and rock. The outcome of this downward
movement is apparent along shoreline cliffs where the sea currents hit the base of
the cliffs and the dented slope to cause an ultimate collapse of the rock in the
seawater. The detached rock can also get accumulated at the base of the cliff as
debris.
 HOW ARE COASTAL LANDFORMS
FORMED?

10. Human Activities

Human interventions, such as construction of coastal structures, dredging,
sand mining, and land reclamation, can significantly alter coastal
landforms. These activities can disrupt natural sediment transport, lead to
coastal erosion or accretion, and impact the overall stability and resilience
of coastal systems.
 COASTAL EROSIONAL LANDFORMS
• Chasms: Chasms are narrow and deep indents on the coastline. They are formed when on the sea-facing side, hard and soft rocks occur in alternative bands.

• Bay: The wave action wears away the soft rocks forming indents. The chasm widens till it forms a bay.

• Capes: The hard rocks which are left in the project as capes in the seawater.

• Sea cliffs: A steep rocky coast rising almost vertically above the seawater is called a sea cliff.

• Wave-cut Platforms: When Sea waves strike a cliff continuously, the cliff gradually retreats over time. A rock-cut flat surface is formed in front of the cliff,
called a wave-cut platform.

• Cave: Sea caves are formed at the base of a cliff. Sea waves erode softer rocks at the base quickly creating holes or hollows. These hollows over time enlarge
to form sea caves.

• Arch: It is formed when two caves develop on either side of projected rock and ultimately unite.

• Stack: When the roof of the arch collapses and the end sides remain standing, a pillar-like structure on the coast is formed. It is called a stack.

• Stump: When the stack is eroded further, the height of the stack is reduced to form a stump.

• Blow-hole/Gloup: Continued action of sea waves makes holes in the cave roof. This hole is called a Gloup or blow hole.

• Geo: With further erosion, the blowholes enlarge and the roof collapses. A long, narrow inlet called Geo is developed.
COASTAL EROSIONAL LANDFORMS
 COASTAL FEATURES OF EROSION

1. Capes & Bays

• On on exposed coasts, the continual action of the waves on the rocks of varying resistance causes the coastline to be
eroded irregularly.
• This is particularly pronounced where the hard rocks occur in alternate band with the soft rocks.
• The softer rocks are worn back into inlets or bays & the harder ones persist as headlands or capes.
• Even where the coastline consists of one rock type, irregularities will be caused by variation within the rock.
 COASTAL FEATURES OF EROSION

2. Cliffs & Wave - Cut

Platforms

• Generally, any steep rock platform adjoining the coast generally forms a cliff,whose rate of recession will depend on its geological structure.
• Means the stratification and joining of the rocks and their resistance to wave attack.
• If the bed dips seaward, large blocks of rock will be dislodged and will fall into the sea and cliff will rise in a series of steps.
• On the other hand , if the bed dips landward , the cliff will be more resistant to wave erosion.
• At the base of the cliff the sea cuts a notch, which gradually undermines the cliff , so that it collapses.
• As the cliff recedes leewards under the pounding of the waves, an eroded base is left behind called a wave cut platform.
• The platform, upper part of which is exposed at low tides, slopes gently seawards with its surface strewn with rock debris from the receding cliffs.
• Further the abrasion continues until the pebbles are swept away in the sea with eroded material deposited on off shore terrace.
 COASTAL FEATURES OF EROSION

3. Cave, Arch, Stack, Stump

• Prolonged waves attack on the base of the cliff & exacavate holes in regions
of local weakness called cave.
• When 2 caves approach each other from either side of headland & unite, they
form an arch.
• Further erosion by waves will lead to total collapse of the arch.
• The seaward portion of the headland will remain as a pillar of rock known as
Stack.
• With the course of time, these stubborn stacks will gradually be eroded ,
leaving behind the stumps , which are only just visible above the sea level.
 COASTAL FEATURES OF EROSION

4. Geos & Gloups

( Blow-holes)

• The occasional splashing of the waves against the roof of a cave may enlarge the joints when air is
compressed & released repeatedly inside them.
• A natural shaft is thus formed which may eventually pierce through the surface.
• Waves breaking into the cave may force water or air out of this hole. Such a shaft is termed as Gloup or
Blow hole.
• The enlargement of blow-holes & continual action of waves weakens the cave roof.
• When the cave roof collapses, a long, narrow creek may develop known as Geos.
 GLOUPS
GEOS
 COASTAL DEPOSITIONAL LANDFORMS
• Beaches: These are deposits of marine sediments consisting of sand, shingles, cobbles etc on the seashore.

• Spits and bars: A spit is a low-lying ridge of sands and pebbles with one end connected to the mainland and the
other end terminating into the sea.

• Hook: A bent spit is called a hook.

• Bar: It is a ridge of sand lying parallel to the coast. They are submerged features.

• Tombolo: When a bar extends and joins an island to the mainland or joins two islands, it is called a tombolo.
For example, the Chesil beach in Dorset, England connects the Isle of Portland with the mainland.

• Lagoons: The enclosed area of seawater between a bar and the coast is called a lagoon. For example Chilka
lake on the Odisha coast and Pulicat lake on the Andhra coast.
COASTAL DEPOSITIONAL LANDFORMS
 COASTAL FEATURES OF DEPOSITION

1. Beaches

• Sands and gravel loosened from the land are moved by waves to be deposited along the shore as beaches.
• The eroded material is transported along the shore in several distinct ways.
• Long shore drifts which comes obliquely to the coast carries material along the shore in the direction of the dominant wind.
• At the same time, backwash removes part of the material seawards , along the bed of the sea & deposits it on the off shore terrace
& even beyond.
• The constant action of the waves automatically sorts out the shoreline deposits in a graded manner.
• The coarser materials are dropped by the waves at the top of the beaches & the finer materials , carried down the beach by the
backwash, are dropped closer to the sea.
 COASTAL FEATURES OF DEPOSITION
2. Splits & Bars

• Th debris eroded by waves is continually moved by long shore drift & where there is indentation in the coast, such as the mouth of
the river or a bay; material may continue to be deposited across the inlet.
• As more materials are added, they will pile up into a ridge or embankment of shingle forming a spit, with one end attached to the land
& other projecting into the sea.
• When a ridge of shingle is formed across the mouth of a river or entrance to a bay,it is called a Bar.
• Such a connecting bar that joins two land masses is known as Tombolo.
 COASTAL FEATURES OF DEPOSITION

3. Marine Dunes &

Dune Belts

• With the force of on shore winds a large amount of coastal sand is driven landwards forming
extensive marine dunes that stretches into dune belts.
• Their advance inland may engulf farms, roads and even the entire villages .
• Hence to arrest the migration of dunes, sand binding species of grass and shrubs, such as marram
grass and lines are planted.
 TYPES OF COASTS
Despite a great variety of coastal features, the coastlines are divided into two basic types:

COASTLINE OF SUBMERGENCE
• Formed due to the sinking of the land or rise in sea level
• Formation of bays, estuaries, and drowned river valleys
• Creation of barrier islands
• Alters coastal geomorphology
• Impacts coastal ecosystems
• Threatens human settlements and infrastructure
• Vulnerability to sea-level rise
 TYPES OF COASTS

COASTLINE OF EMERGENCE
• Formed due to the uplift of the land or lowering of sea level
• Exposure of previously submerged land
• Formation of raised beaches
• Creation of new coastal features
• Changes in coastal geomorphology
• Impacts on coastal ecosystems
• Potential opportunities for human settlements and development
• Associated with past glacial periods or tectonic processes
COASTLINES OF
SUBMERGENCE
AND
EMERGENCE
 IMPACT OF COASTAL LANDFORMS ON
HUMAN ACTIVITIES

• Coastal landforms have a significant impact on human activities due to their unique physical characteristics and
location at the interface between land and sea. Here are some key ways in which coastal landforms influence human
activities:

• Settlement and Urbanization: Coastal landforms often provide desirable locations for human settlements and urban
development. Natural harbors, sheltered bays, and estuaries attract communities due to their access to fishing
grounds, transportation routes, and trade opportunities.

• Tourism and Recreation: Coastal landforms, such as sandy beaches, dunes, and cliffs, are popular tourist
destinations. People engage in activities like swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and coastal hiking. The presence of
scenic coastal landforms often drives the tourism industry, generating economic benefits for local communities.
 IMPACT OF COASTAL LANDFORMS ON
HUMAN ACTIVITIES
• Shipping and Trade: Coastal landforms with deep harbors or estuaries are ideal for shipping and maritime
trade. Ports located in sheltered coastal areas facilitate the import and export of goods, contributing to
economic growth and international trade.

• Fisheries and Aquaculture: Coastal landforms offer rich ecosystems and abundant marine resources. Coastal
areas provide habitats for a variety of fish, shellfish, and other marine organisms. Fishing communities rely
on these resources for their livelihoods. Additionally, coastal landforms are utilized for aquaculture
activities, such as oyster farming and fish breeding.

• Environmental Conservation: Coastal landforms often harbor unique and diverse ecosystems, including
wetlands, salt marshes, and coral reefs. These ecosystems support numerous plant and animal species and
provide vital ecosystem services, such as water filtration, erosion control, and carbon sequestration.
Preserving coastal landforms is essential for conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance.
 IMPACT OF COASTAL LANDFORMS ON
HUMAN ACTIVITIES
• Energy Generation: Coastal landforms play a role in energy production. Offshore
wind farms take advantage of coastal winds to generate renewable energy. Some
coastal landforms, such as cliffs and headlands, are also potential sites for wave
energy and tidal power generation.

• Coastal Protection: Coastal landforms, such as barrier islands, sand dunes, and
mangrove forests, provide natural protection against storms, erosion, and flooding.
These landforms act as buffers, absorbing wave energy and minimizing the impact on
human settlements located behind them. Proper management and preservation of
coastal landforms are crucial for reducing vulnerability to natural hazards.
CASE STUDIES: EXAMPLES OF COASTAL
LANDFORMS
1 DALMATIAN
COAST
CROATIA
GREAT OCEAN ROAD 2
AUSTRALIA

3 THE GIANT'S
CAUSEWAY
NORTHERN IRELAND
 CASE STUDIES: EXAMPLES OF COASTAL
LANDFORMS
• The Great Ocean Road, Australia: The Great Ocean
Road in Victoria, Australia, is famous for its stunning
coastal landforms along the Southern Ocean. One
prominent feature is the Twelve Apostles, a collection of
limestone sea stacks standing tall in the ocean. These
sea stacks were formed through the erosion of the
surrounding cliffs by the relentless waves and wind.
Over time, the softer rock eroded away, leaving behind
these majestic structures. The Great Ocean Road also
features other coastal landforms such as sea caves,
blowholes, and beautiful sandy beaches.
 CASE STUDIES: EXAMPLES OF COASTAL
LANDFORMS
2. Dalmatian Coast, Croatia:
The Dalmatian Coast in Croatia is renowned for
its picturesque coastline and diverse coastal
landforms. The region is characterized by
numerous islands, bays, and peninsulas. One
notable landform is the island of Brač, which
features a stunning sandy beach called Zlatni Rat.
Zlatni Rat is a unique spit that extends into the
sea, changing its shape with the influence of
currents and winds. The Dalmatian Coast also
showcases rugged cliffs, karst formations, and
beautiful coves and lagoons.
CASE STUDIES: EXAMPLES OF COASTAL LANDFORMS
3. The Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland:
The Giant's Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site located on the northern coast of Northern
Ireland. It is renowned for its hexagonal basalt
columns that form a distinctive landform along the
shoreline. These columns were created by ancient
volcanic activity, where molten lava rapidly cooled
and solidified, resulting in the formation of polygonal
columns. The interlocking columns at the Giant's
Causeway create a surreal landscape and are a
popular tourist attraction.
 CONCLUSION
• In conclusion, coastal landforms are diverse and dynamic features that shape the interface between land and sea. They result from the complex
interplay of geological processes, such as erosion, deposition, and tectonic activity, along with the influence of oceanic forces like waves,
tides, and currents. From sandy beaches to towering cliffs, from tranquil estuaries to vibrant coral reefs, coastal landforms provide a range of
habitats, resources, and recreational opportunities.

• However, coastal landforms are also highly susceptible to change and vulnerability. Rising sea levels, climate change, and human activities
pose significant challenges to their preservation and management. Coastal erosion, loss of wetlands, habitat degradation, and increased
vulnerability to storms are some of the pressing issues that need attention.

• Efforts to understand, protect, and sustainably manage coastal landforms are essential. This involves implementing coastal engineering
strategies, such as beach nourishment and erosion control measures, promoting responsible development practices, and safeguarding sensitive
ecosystems. Collaborative approaches involving scientists, policymakers, and local communities are crucial to strike a balance between human
needs and the conservation of coastal landforms.

• By recognizing the importance of coastal landforms and taking proactive measures to protect and conserve them, we can ensure the resilience
of coastal ecosystems, preserve natural heritage, and secure the well-being of coastal communities for future generations.
 FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

• Sea Level Rise: Due to climate change, sea levels are projected to rise, leading to
coastal erosion, increased flooding, and the reshaping of coastal landforms.

• Storm Intensity: Climate change may result in more frequent and severe storms, which
can cause significant coastal erosion, sediment redistribution, and changes in
landforms such as beaches and dunes.

• Shoreline Retreat: Coastal landforms, including beaches, cliffs, and barrier islands,
may experience significant retreat as a result of sea level rise and increased storm
activity, leading to changes in coastal landscapes.
FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
• Coastal Engineering: With the changing coastal dynamics, there will be an increased
need for coastal engineering solutions such as beach nourishment, seawalls, and groynes
to protect coastal communities and infrastructure.

• Sediment Transport: Alterations in sediment transport patterns due to climate change

and human activities can affect the formation and evolution of coastal landforms,
influencing the distribution of beaches, spits, and deltas.

• Ecosystem Impacts: Changes in coastal landforms can have ecological consequences,

including the loss of habitats, shifts in species distributions, and impacts on coastal
ecosystems' overall health and resilience.
FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
• Adaptation Strategies: Future perspectives on coastal landforms require proactive planning
and adaptation strategies, including managed retreat, nature-based solutions, and
sustainable coastal development practices to mitigate risks and promote long-term
resilience.

• Human Interactions: The evolving coastal landforms will continue to influence human
activities, such as tourism, fisheries, and urban development, necessitating careful
management and planning to balance societal needs with environmental concerns.

• Technological Advances: Advances in technology, such as remote sensing, modeling, and

data analytics, will play a crucial role in monitoring and predicting changes in coastal
landforms, enabling informed decision-making and adaptive management practices.
FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

• International Cooperation: Given that coastal landforms are a global concern,

international collaboration and knowledge-sharing will be vital to address the
challenges posed by climate change, sea level rise, and the sustainable
management of coastal areas.

• These perspectives highlight the dynamic nature of coastal landforms and the
need for proactive measures to mitigate risks, protect ecosystems, and ensure the
long-term sustainability of coastal environments.
THANK
YOU