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GCSE Geography · key term
An opening through a headland with a roof of rock above it.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 3.1.3.2 · Paper 1
Revise: Erosional and Depositional LandformsContinued erosion can extend the cave through the headland, creating an arch: an opening with a rock roof above it. Waves erode the sides and base of the opening, while weathering weakens the roof from above. When the roof collapses, a separate column of rock remains offshore.
Specification 1.4 · Paper 1
An opening through a headland with a roof of rock remaining above it.
Revise: Coastal LandformsIf the cave extends all the way through the headland, it forms an arch. Waves continue to erode the sides and supports of the opening, while weathering weakens the exposed rock above. Eventually, the roof collapses.
Paper 2
A natural opening through a headland, formed when erosion extends a cave through the rock.
Revise: Geological Structure and Erosional LandformsContinued erosion may extend the cave right through the headland, creating an arch: an opening with rock still forming a roof above it. Further erosion and weathering weaken the arch until its roof can no longer support itself and collapses under gravity. An isolated pillar of resistant rock remains offshore as a stack.
Specification 3.2a · Paper 1, Paper 3
An opening through a headland with a roof of rock above it, formed when a cave breaks through.
Revise: Coastal Landforms: Erosional and Depositional FeaturesThe opening now passes right through the rock, with a roof remaining above it: this is an arch.
Include weathering and collapse when explaining how an arch becomes a stack or how a cliff retreats.
Explain the stages between landforms: a cave breaks through a headland to form an arch; collapse of the arch roof leaves a stack.
For caves, arches and stacks, link erosion of a weakness to cave enlargement, breakthrough and eventual roof collapse. Include weathering as well as wave erosion when explaining collapse.
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