Which of the following coastal features is not due to erosion'?

Analyze the question: We need the coastal feature that is NOT formed by erosion. In other words, three of the options are erosional and one is depositional.

Explain the concept: Coastal processes produce two groups of landforms:

• Erosional features (made by waves wearing away the land through hydraulic action, abrasion and attrition): cliffs, wave-cut platforms, caves, arches, stacks, stumps, and bays (headlands and bays form where softer rock is eroded faster than harder rock).
• Depositional features (made when waves and currents drop material): beaches, spits, bars, tombolos, and sand dunes.

Solution, option by option:

• A. Bay: Formed when waves erode softer rock faster, leaving a curved indentation in the coast. This is erosional.
• B. Cliff: Formed when waves undercut the base of a rock face, which then collapses and retreats. This is erosional.
• C. Beach: Formed by the deposition of sand, shingle and pebbles brought by waves. This is depositional, not erosional.
• D. Arch: Formed when waves erode a cave through a headland until it breaks through. This is erosional.

Answer: The beach is the feature not due to erosion, so the answer is C.

Exam tip: Remember "Beaches are Built," meaning deposited. Features like spits, bars, tombolos and beaches are built up by deposition. Features such as cliffs, caves, arches and stacks are cut out by erosion. When you see "not due to erosion," look for the deposition word in your memory.