By George and Joe

Cliffs are formed by destructive waves. When the sea hits the base of the cliff, using corrasion and hydraulic action (and if the rock type is limestone or chalk) corrosion, it undercuts the cliff and a wave-cut notch is formed. There is an overhang over the notch and as the notch gets larger the overhang will fall into the sea due to the force of gravity. This process will continuously happen and the cliff will go back and back.

Here is a photograph of some cliffs Here is a diagram of how cliffs are formed A real life example of cliffs is Dover Cliffs. As you can see the diagram above is very much in effect, with the wave cut notch undercutting the chalk cliffs. The cliff is very straight as the overhang has fallen.

A wave-cut platform is normally quite smooth due to abrasion. The remains of the cliff rocks form a platform below the sea at high tide. As a result of erosion and weathering some boulders will have fallen onto the platform. As the width of the platform increases the power of the waves decreases as they have further of travel to the cliff.

 Here is a photograph of a wave-cut platform  Here is a diagram of a wave-cut platform.  Here is an example of a wave-cut platform Southerndown, South Wales.

 The undercutting in a cliff is called a wave cut cotch.  Wave cut-platforms increase the power of waves.  Boulders fall onto the platform due to weathering and erosion.  Wave-cut notches are formed from attrition.