Which term describes a coastline dominated by erosion, featuring cliffs and sea-cut platforms?

Which term describes a coastline dominated by erosion, featuring cliffs and sea-cut platforms?

• A. Depositional Coast
• B. Fjord
• C. Estuary
• D. Erosional Coast

Answer: (D)

Coastlines shaped mainly by erosion. When strong wave action wears away rock at the base of cliffs, it undercuts the headland and creates a sea‑cut notch that deepens over time, causing the cliff to retreat. A resulting sea-cut platform sits at the base when the retreat slows at low tide. This combination—cliffs plus a platform—shows erosion as the dominant process sculpting the shore. In contrast, a depositional coast builds beaches and other sedimentary features; a fjord is a glacially carved valley flooded by the sea; an estuary is where a river meets the sea and mixing occurs.

Coastlines shaped mainly by erosion. When strong wave action wears away rock at the base of cliffs, it undercuts the headland and creates a sea‑cut notch that deepens over time, causing the cliff to retreat. A resulting sea-cut platform sits at the base when the retreat slows at low tide. This combination—cliffs plus a platform—shows erosion as the dominant process sculpting the shore. In contrast, a depositional coast builds beaches and other sedimentary features; a fjord is a glacially carved valley flooded by the sea; an estuary is where a river meets the sea and mixing occurs.