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The Physical Geographer
Posted 1 month ago

The Wave-Cut Platform at Abereiddy: Nature’s Coastal Carving

Standing on the rugged coast at Abereiddy, you can see a feature that tells the story of time, tides, and relentless erosion – the wave-cut platform.

It might look like a flat rocky terrace at the base of the cliffs, but it’s actually the work of millions of waves pounding away over thousands of years.

What Is a Wave-Cut Platform?

A wave-cut platform is a rock ''platform'' found at the foot of cliffs along some coastlines. It forms when the sea repeatedly attacks the base of the cliff, undercutting it through erosional processes like:

✔ Hydraulic action – waves force air and water into cracks, breaking the rock apart.
✔ Abrasion – sand and pebbles grind the rock like sandpaper.
✔ Solution – certain minerals dissolve in seawater over time.

As the cliff is eroded, the overhang eventually collapses, and the process repeats. The cliff retreats inland, leaving behind this rocky platform as a mark of where the coastline used to be.

Why Is Abereiddy Special?

Abereiddy sits on complex lithology, including resistant rock, which means erosion is slow, and dramatic features develop.

The platform here is exposed at low tide, giving a clear view of its flat surface, and bedding planes creating rock pools - these are the scars of geological history.

Look closely and you’ll notice:

✔ Parallel lines – evidence of bedding planes in the rock.
✔ Smooth sections – polished by constant wave action.
✔ Rock pools – mini-ecosystems left behind in hollows where seawater collects.

This isn’t just a pretty feature – it’s a timeline of erosion, showing where the cliff once stood.

Why Does It Matter?

Wave-cut platforms are key indicators of coastal erosion and sea level changes.

They tell us how landscapes evolve over time. In storm conditions, they also absorb wave energy, acting like a natural buffer to protect the base of the cliffs.

But there’s a catch – they’re constantly changing. Every storm chips away a little more rock, and over centuries, the platform will stretch further out while the cliffs keep retreating.

Next Time You’re There…

Stand on that platform at low tide and think:

- The waves by your feet shaped this rock.
- The cliff behind you used to be where you’re standing.
- Nature is still at work, and one day, this will be gone too.

That’s geography you can see, feel, and stand on 🌊

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