Page 99 - (DK) Ocean - The Definitive Visual Guide

COASTAL LANDSCAPES 97

ATLANTIC OCEAN NORTHEAST
Western Algarve

TYPE Secondary coast
FORMATION Erosional
action of waves on
ancient rock strata
EXTENT 84 miles
(135 km)
LOCATION Southern and southwestern coast
of Portugal
The western Algarve coast extends
from the city of Faro in southern
Portugal to Cape St. Vincent, at the
southwestern tip of the Iberian
Peninsula, and then for a further
30 miles (50 km) to the north. This
coastline, which is bathed by the
warm Gulf Stream, is notable for its
picturesque, honey-colored limestone
cliffs, small bays and coves, sheltered
beaches of fine sand, and emerald-
green water. Many stretches of this
coast show typical features of marine
erosion at work, including caves at
the feet of cliffs, grottoes, blowholes,
arches forming through headlands,
and sea stacks (isolated pillars of rock
set off from headlands). Although
BALANCED STACK limestone is a primary component of
At Marinha Beach near Carvoeiro, wind the landscape, other rocks, including
and waves have produced distinctive rock sandstones and shales, form parts of
formations, such as this eroded sea stack the cliffs along scattered stretches
balanced on the shoreline. of the coast. The strikingly beautiful
scenery has made this coast a popular
vacation destination.

ATLANTIC OCEAN EAST ATLANTIC OCEAN EAST
Amalfi Coast Nile Delta
TYPE Secondary coast TYPE Primary coast
FORMATION Marine FORMATION Deposition
erosion of folded and of sediment at mouth
inclined limestone rock of Nile River
strata
EXTENT 150 miles
EXTENT 43 miles (69 km) (240 km)
LOCATION Southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula, LOCATION North of Cairo, northern Egypt
south of Naples, southern Italy
The Nile Delta is one of the world’s
Stretching along the southern edge largest river deltas. As with all deltas,
of the Sorrento Peninsula, south of its shoreline is classed as a primary
Naples, the Amalfi Coast is famous for coast because it formed as a
its steep cliffs punctuated by caves and result of sediment deposition
grottoes, and for its picturesque coastal from a river, a land-based
towns, some of which are built into process. The flow of water that
the cliffs. The inclined layers of formed it and nourishes it has been
limestone rock that form the cliffs lie reduced significantly by the Aswan
at the foot of the Lattari Mountains Dam in Upper Egypt and by local
and were formed between 100 and water usage. The sand belt at the
70 million years ago. delta’s seaward side, which prevents
flooding, is currently
eroding, and anticipated
future rises in sea level
pose a severe threat to
its agriculture, freshwater
lagoons, wildlife, and
reserves of fresh water. OCEAN ENVIRONMENTS

PROTECTIVE BELT
In this satellite view, the sand
belt at the front of the Nile Delta
is clearly visible. The protrusions
through the sand belt mark the
CLIFFS AT SANT ELIA POSITANO mouths of two Nile tributaries.