Content Starts Here
arch (earth science)
Encyclopaedia Search
Arch (earth Science)
. The sea has eroded the limestone to form first a cave, and finally an arch, as the cave reaches through to the far side of the Durdle promontory.', copy:'(Image © Garret Nagle)'});)
Click image to enlarge
In geomorphology (the study of landforms), any natural bridge-like land feature formed by erosion. Most sea arches are formed from the wave erosion of a headland where the backs of two caves have met and broken through. The roof of the arch eventually collapses to leave part of the headland isolated in the sea as a stack. A natural bridge is formed on land by wind or water erosion and spans a valley or ravine.
In some cases, as at Stair Hole, Dorset, England, an arch is formed when the sea has battered a hole through a cliff of hard rock (such as limestone) and has removed soft rock (such as clay) behind.
© Research Machines plc 2008. All rights reserved. Helicon Publishing is a division of Research Machines plc.
Advertisement starts
Advertisement ends
abrasion (earth science)
arch (earth science)
attrition
bar (earth science)
bay (earth science)
beach
cave
cavitation (earth science)
coast
coastal cliff
coastal deposition
coastal erosion
coastal protection
corrasion
corrosion
dune
erosion
estuary
fjord
groyne
headland
longshore drift
ria
salt marsh
solution (earth science)
spit
stack (earth science)
storm surge
stump
tide
wave (earth science)
wave-cut platform
arch (earth science)
attrition
bar (earth science)
bay (earth science)
beach
cave
cavitation (earth science)
coast
coastal cliff
coastal deposition
coastal erosion
coastal protection
corrasion
corrosion
dune
erosion
estuary
fjord
groyne
headland
longshore drift
ria
salt marsh
solution (earth science)
spit
stack (earth science)
storm surge
stump
tide
wave (earth science)
wave-cut platform
Related Links
Australia Flag
The Union Jack marks Australia's historical links with Britain. The Southern Cross helped guide early European navigators to the continent. Effective date: 15 April 1954.
>>
Advertorial
Find out how to buy the things you've always wanted and sell the things you don't on ebay.
Advertisement starts
Advertisement ends
Font size
Mail
My account
Help
CommunityPage Footer
Print now
Send to a friend
Related articles
Related products
Access keys
You will need to use different key combinations in order to use access keys depending on your internet browser, find out which on our accessibility page.
- (0) Navigate to Accessibility page.
- (1) Navigate to Home page.
- (2) Navigate to My email.
- (3) Navigate to My Account.
- (4) Navigate to Site Map page.
- (5) Navigate to Contact us page.
- (6) Navigate to Members channel.
- (7) Navigate to Services channel.
- (8) Navigate to News & Info channel.
- (9) Navigate to Entertainment channel.
- ([) Skip down to the Primary navigation block.
- (]) Skip down to the more links within this section block.
- (=) Bypass all navigation and jump to the content.