How are stacks, caves, blowholes, and cliffs formed

Just judging by their names, I believe water erosion causes these. You can check though -- try these:

http://www.answers.com/blowholes
and
http://www.google.com

Search for stacks formation or caves formation, etc.

=)

Check these sites for brief explanations and diagrams of the formations of these features.

http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/topics/waves.html

http://revisioncentre.co.uk/gcse/geography/coastal_formations.html

Stacks, caves, blowholes, and cliffs are geological formations that are commonly found along coastlines. They are primarily formed through the processes of erosion and weathering. Let me explain the formation of each of these features:

1. Stacks: Stacks are tall, isolated columns of rock that are formed when the sea erodes a headland. The process begins with the sea carving out a small crack or cave in the headland. Over time, waves continuously attack the base of the headland, causing the crack or cave to grow bigger. Eventually, the roof of the cave collapses, leaving behind a tall stack of rock. Stacks can be seen in places like the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.

2. Caves: Caves are hollow openings that are formed by wave action. They are commonly found in areas where the coastline has softer rock layers. As waves crash against the coastline, they exploit weaknesses and cracks in the rock. Through continuous erosion, these cracks grow larger, eventually forming a cave. Caves can be seen in coastal areas such as the Algarve region in Portugal.

3. Blowholes: Blowholes are vertical openings in the ground that are connected to an underground cave. They are created when waves force water into a cave system and the trapped air inside is released through a vertical shaft. This produces a spout of water shooting up from the ground. Blowholes can be observed in locations such as Kiama on the Australian coast.

4. Cliffs: Cliffs are steep rock faces that are formed when the sea erodes the coastline. Erosion can occur through various processes such as hydraulic action, where waves force air into cracks and break the rock apart, or abrasion, where the sea transports and deposits sediments onto the coastline, wearing it away gradually. Over time, this constant erosion causes the land to retreat inland and results in the formation of cliffs. Cliffs can be found along many coastlines, including the White Cliffs of Dover in England.

Remember that the specific formation of these features can vary depending on the geological composition of the area. If you want more detailed information, I suggest visiting the websites mentioned earlier or conducting further research using reliable sources like books or academic journals.