Headlands and bay

• Often form in areas with a discordant coastline, where different types of rock are found at right angles to the coast.
• Formed by differential erosion where softer, less resistant rock is eroded faster than harder, more resistant rocks.
• The harder rock becomes a headland area which juts out into the sea.
• The softer rock becomes a bay which is sheltered by Headlands. The surrounding headlands protect the bay from further erosion.
• Constructive waves build a small beach in the sheltered bay, between the headlands.
• Headlands and Bay Example: Studland Bay and Durlston Head.