Landform 5 - arches

While on a recent school trip in the Bay of Naples (Bay of Naples, Italy), we went on a boat trip around the Isle of Capri to see the stunning limestone scenery. Capri is perhaps more famous for its designer shops than for the cliffs, caves and arches on its coastline, but a boat ride around the island to see them is definitely worth it.

This arch is supposed to be the most romantic place on the island. Our crazy Italian boat driver drove us straight through the arch, which was a rather terrifying experience.

Coastal arches form when the erosive power of waves starts to erode a crack in a cliff face. After years of hydraulic action and corrasion, the two dominant erosive processes, the crack has developed into a cave, which when eroded further may cut through the cliff or rock outcrop to form an arch. They are typically very stunning features which are instantly recognisable.

Other examples include a double arch just off Wharariki Beach in New Zealand, and the very well-known example of Durdle Door in Dorset.

Wharariki Beach (New Zealand)

Durdle Door (Lulworth Cove)