The progressive erosion of a headland by wave action, first piercing it into an arch as erosion exploits a line of weakness from both sides, then collapsing the arch's roof to leave an isolated pillar, or stack, standing offshore. It is one of the clearest visible sequences in coastal geomorphology, recorded at sites from Australia's Twelve Apostles to Ireland's sea cliffs.
Facts
Process Type TimescaleGeological timescales; temporary landforms subject to continued marine erosion 1 Connections
Sources
1. Stack (geology), Wikipedia
Lead paragraph, second sentence
Stacks are formed over time by wind and water, processes of coastal geomorphology.
Lead paragraph, third sentence
On geological timescales, sea stacks are temporary landforms; Continued marine erosion causes them to degrade, providing a visual record of headland retreat.
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