Fig. 1 shows a field sketch made during a study of a rapidly eroding cliff at Murlough Bay. The cliff is formed from weak shale beneath a harder sandstone c...

Assessment: Geography 9230 | Paper 1 Mock 01 | Written Paper 1 Subject: Geography - 9230

Question 1 Report

9230-p1-coast-cliff-section-1

Fig. 1 shows a field sketch made during a study of a rapidly eroding cliff at Murlough Bay. The cliff is formed from weak shale beneath a harder sandstone cap. Table 1 gives measurements taken from the same section of coast in 2018 and 2025. The class used the figure and table to decide which process was most important.

Measurement20182025
Distance from path to cliff edge18 m11 m
Height of wave-cut notch0.4 m1.2 m
Width of shore platform14 m17 m

(a) Which coastal erosion process is most likely to widen cracks in the shale when waves carry sand and pebbles? [1]
(b) Outline how a wave-cut notch can lead to cliff collapse. [2]
(c) Draw a labelled cross-section showing the sea, a wave-cut platform and the sandstone cap above the shale. [2]

Answer Details

(a) Abrasion / corrasion [1] (b) Waves erode a notch at the cliff foot [1]; unsupported rock above becomes unstable and falls by mass movement [1] (c) Award [1] for a recognisable sea and near-horizontal wave-cut platform; [1] for cliff with hard cap over weaker lower rock, labelled appropriately.

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