Wave-cut platform
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A wave-cut platform or marine terrace is the narrow flat area often seen at the base of a sea cliff caused by the action of the waves. The waves first form a notch, serving as a point of weakness, where erosion starts to occur. This notch then enlarges into a cave. The waves undermine this portion until the roof of the cave cannot hold, and collapses, resulting in the cliff retreating landward. The base of the cave forms the wave-cut platform, while the cliff material may be washed into the sea. This may be deposited at the end of the platform, forming an off-shore terrace. Where the coast line itself is changing due to seismic action, there may be a series of platforms showing earlier sea levels and indicating the amount of uplift caused by various earthquakes.
Because of the continual wave action, a wave-cut platform represents an extremely hostile environment and only the toughest of organisms can utilize such a niche.
See also
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