When high, steep waves break at the foot of a cliff notches are formed. Continued activity increases the stress on the cliff and, in time, it collapses (rock fall). The cliff begins to retreat, leaving at its base a gentle sloping, 4 degree slope, wave-cut platform.
From a distance the platform looks quite even but close up abrasion has removed chunks. The platform continues to grow and, as it does, the waves break further out to sea. This reduces the rate of erosion as the sea has farther to travel so it has less energy.
Experts have suggested that wave-cut platforms can grow no further than 0.5km.
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