Coastal and Oceanic Landform (20.Cuspate Foreland)


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A Cuspate foreland, solidified by vegetation
A Cuspate foreland, solidified by vegetation

  •  Cuspate forelands showing a wide range of form and occurrence have been described on accretion coasts from many parts of the world (Davies 1972King 1972).
  • Cuspate foreland is thought to form where a long-term balance, or near balance, exists between two or more opposing, but constructional, coastal forces. These forces may be either alongshore currents-drift-aligned features (Zenkovich 19591967).


  • Cuspate forelands,known as ;

                                                      Cuspate barriers
                                                      Nesses


  • Geographical features found on coastlines & lakeshores.
  • Created primarily by long shore drift.


Point Pelee cuspate foreland location
Point Pelee cuspate foreland location



  •  Formed by accretion and pro-gradation of sand & shingle.
  • They extend outwards from the shoreline in a triangular shape.
  • Some Cuspate forelands estabilised by vegetation.
  • Others may migrate down the shoreline.
  • Some cuspate forelands provide an important habitat for many flora and fauna.
  • Where longshore drift occurs in opposite directions, two spits merge into a triangular protrusion along a coastline/ lakeshore.
  • Their formation dependent on dominant & prevailing winds. 
  • Formation can also occur when waves are diffracted around a barrier.
  • Cuspate forelands  form coastlines & along lakeshores.




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