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Features of Hong Kong's coastal geomorphology

27 November, 2015 - 12:33

Hong Kong is also blessed with some fascinating coastal geomorphology.

Below is a brief glossary of terms that are used to describe the features of Hong Kong's coastal geomorphology.

  • Cliffs -- a sharp steep distinct slope between land and sea.
  • Geos -- a narrow, linear cleft (bend) running inland from a sea cliff.
  • Sea caves -- an opening beneath a sea cliff caused by coastal erosion into which seawater may penetrate.
  • Wave-cut platforms -- a shore platform is a low gradient rock surface located between the tides (intertidal) and probably caused by the recession of a sea cliff.
  • Stacks -- a coastal pillar of rock above the mean high tide (HT) level. A stack stands out, like the tor of To Kwa Wan.
  • Beaches and raised beaches -- a beach is the site (location) of accumulation of sediment deposited by waves and sea currents around the edge of the sea i.e. coastal margin.
  • Sand dunes -- a build-up of coastal deposits, often by wind to make a small loose, sandy hill above mean HT mark.
  • Sand spits -- a long narrow accumulation of beach deposits with one end attached to the shore and the other (seaward) end projecting out into the sea.
  • Tombolos -- these are sand spits or sand bars which link an island to the mainland or to another island.
  • Boulder beaches -- beaches where large rock blocks cover most of the shore.
  • Rocky shores -- shorelines, which are composed mainly of solid rock as a sloping or flat platform (also called hard shores).
  • Mangrove estuaries and sediment bays -- coastal areas where fine sediments such as mud accumulate to make soft shores. Such a habitat is favourable for the development of intertidal tree and shrub ecosystems called mangroves.

Video activity 1

You can see many of these coastal geomorphological form in the following video clip: