Formation of headlands and bays

Formation of headlands and bays

Some coasts are made up of rocks with different levels of resistance to erosion

The less resistant areas of ricks curve inwards as they get eroded faster by the waves, forming bays.

The areas made up of more resistant rocks will protrude out from the coastline and are known as headlands.

When waves approach the coast in a parallel manner, their energy is concentrated on the headlands because the waves bend as they approach the protruding headlands.

The bending of waves is due to some waves slowing down as they reach the shallower water in front of the headlands while other waves that are not affected by the headlands continue ahead at the same speed.

The bending of waves as a result of differences in wave speeds is known as wave refraction.

Due to wave refraction, wave energy is concentrated on the headlands and weakened along the wider stretches in the bays.

Materials are deposited along the shores of the bays.