2.2A Concordant and discordant

• Concordant coastline:

  • form where rock strata or folds run parallel to the coast. 
  • Some concordant coasts have long, narrow islands running parallel to the coastline. 
  • Concordant coasts are also known as dalmatian coasts, after the Dalmatian region of Croatia, or Pacific coasts, after the coastline of Chile in South America. 
  • E.g. lulworth cove
• Discordant coastlines:

  • where rock strata or structures are aligned at an angle to the coastline. 
  • Discordant coasts have a crenellated pattern of projecting headlands and indented bays.
  • e.g. Swanage bay