headlands

Headlands are coastal landforms consisting of high, steep land that projects into the sea. They are formed where coastal bedrock varies in resistance: sections of more resistant rock resist erosion longer, while adjacent softer rock is eroded away more quickly, creating bays and inlets. Headlands are often composed of hard rock such as limestone, sandstone or quartzite, rising above sea level as promontories.

Geological processes that shape headlands include wave action and coastal erosion, especially wave refraction, which concentrates energy against projecting headlands and accelerates erosion of surrounding softer rock and undercutting of cliffs. Over long periods, wave-cut platforms may form at the base of headlands. The continued retreat of cliffs around a headland can produce sea arches and stacks, and eventually collapse of the features.

Headlands influence coastal dynamics by creating variations along coastlines, with calm bays between headlands where sediment accumulates. The location of headlands can affect local wave climates and sediment transport via longshore drift.

Examples and significance: notable headlands include the Dungeness headland in Kent, Land's End in Cornwall, Cape Point in South Africa, and Cape Hatteras in the United States. Headlands are important for navigation, often hosting lighthouses, and they support distinct coastal ecosystems. They are also common sites of tourism due to their scenic value, while their erosion-prone nature makes them sensitive to sea level rise and storms.