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Flamborough Headland is situated on the east coast of England in Yorkshire near Bridlington. I visited it last year. It is known for it's chalk cliffs and has been designated by English Nature as a Sight of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Unique geological formations and fossils are present. It is also a habitat for nesting sea birds.
The cliff consists of layers of chalk overlain by boulder clay which was deposited during the last ice age by a glacier. Therefore it has evolved due to geological processes taking place over millions of years.
The headland shows evidence of lots of different coastal landforms. When waves rush up against the cliff initially a notch is created at the bottom. With continuing erosion it gets bigger until the rock above collapses into the sea. As this rock is fairly resistant it forms what is known as a wave cut platform at the cliff bottom. At Flamborough wave cut platforms of chalk and clay provide a unique habitat for plants and also help to protect the cliff bottom from erosion.
Erosion also may result in the development of landforms such as the arch on the photograph above. Eventually, when the top of the arch weakens it will collapse and become a stack and will then be completely eroded. Flamborough Headland has arches, stacks and caves.
