definition: rocky and resistant material that produces a steep profile

origins of rocky coasts

• commonly tectonically-active convergent coasts

• unrelated to tectonic activity

• glacier derived

• formed from skeletal shell debris

processes operating along the coasts

physical processes

• wave energy focus
  
• reflected 
• forms clapotis
  
• pressurized air is trapped
  

• abrasion of waveborne particles
  

• weathering due to temperature differences
  

• plants and animals bore into the surface
  

• grazing animals that scrape the surface

• oxidation of iron minerals (similar to rusting)
  

• reaction with carbonic acid
  

• beach rock
  

• eolianites
  

Geomorphology

primarily shaped by long-term wave action

cliffs

• height:
• low and high latitude
  

• face: due to erosion
• homogenous
  

• heterogenous

• steepness:
• steep
  

• gentle
  

• other: high, steep bluffs
  

beaches: occur at foot of cliffs; low energy between headlands

benches (shore platform): intertidal

• origin: combination of wave action and weathering (water-layer leveling - small pools of standing water)

terraces: subtidal 

• may have slope

• tectonic activity may raise a terrace above sea level - becomes a bench

sea stacks and arches:  due to differential erosion and differential wave attack

• sea arches  breach in narrow headland at water level

• sea stacks: separated headland from mainland coast - isolate
  

these are rapid changes in geologic time...