Area of land running out into the sea. Headlands are often high points on the coastline, usually with steep cliffs, and may be made of more resistant rock than adjacent
bays. Erosion is concentrated on the flanks of headlands due to wave refraction. Good examples include the chalk headland between Handfast Point and Ballard Point near Swanage, England, and the area between Tennyson Down and The Needles, Isle of Wight, England.
© RM 2009. Helicon Publishing is division of RM.