which coastal features are usually found in the bays along irregular coasts with headlands: wave-cut cliffs or wave-cut platforms?
My guess is wave-cut cliffs. But that's only a guess.
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "wave-cut cliffs platforms" to get these possible sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_cut_platform
(Broken Link Removed)
http://geology.about.com/library/bl/images/blwaveterrace.htm
http://www.geographylwc.org.uk/GCSE/Year5/5coast/cliffs.html
http://www.slideshare.net/bob123456789/wave-cut-platform
Also this article might be helpful:
http://www.members.cox.net/dagershaw/lol/DecisionTrap.html
In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search. Also see http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/.
I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.
In bays along irregular coasts with headlands, you would typically find wave-cut platforms rather than wave-cut cliffs. To understand why this is the case, let's break it down:
1. Wave-cut cliffs: These are formed by the constant pounding of waves against the base of cliffs or headlands. Over time, the erosive action of the waves causes the cliffs to retreat inland, forming steep, vertical cliffs. Wave-cut cliffs are more commonly associated with straight or gently curving coasts.
2. Wave-cut platforms: These are formed when the waves erode the base of the cliffs or headlands, causing the upper section to collapse. As the process continues, the cliffs retreat inland, leaving behind a flat or gently sloping platform. Wave-cut platforms are often found in bays and along irregular coasts with headlands. They are typically submerged during high tide and exposed during low tide.
So, in bays along irregular coasts with headlands, the wave action is directed towards the headlands, causing the cliffs to retreat and leaving behind wave-cut platforms in the bays. The irregular coastline with headlands provides natural barriers that protect the bays from the full force of the waves, allowing the wave-cut platforms to form and persist.