Coastal Geology

Discordant coastline occurs where bands of differing rock type run perpendicular to the coast.

The differing resistance to erosion leads to the formation of headlands and bays.

A hard rock type is resistant to erosion and creates a promontory whilst a softer rock type is easily eroded creating a bay.

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Part of the Dorset coastline in the UK running north from the Portland limestone of Durlston Head is a clear example of a discordant coastline.

The Portland limestone is resistant to erosion; then to the north there is Swanage Bay where the rock type is a softer greensand.

North of Swanage, the chalk outcrop creates the headland which includes Old Harry Rocks.

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A concordant coastline occurs where the bands of differing rock types run parallel to the coast.

The outer hard provides a protective barrier to erosion of the softer rocks further inland.

Sometimes the outer hard rock is punctured allowing the sea to erode the softer rocks behind.

This creates a cove which is a circular area of water with a relatively narrow entrance way from the sea.

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Lulworth Cove has occurred on a concordant coastline.

The outer hard rock is Portland limestone.

The sea has broken through this barrier and easily eroded the clays behind it.

A chalk cliff face is at the back of the cove.

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