On the development of coastal profiles in the north of Scotland, Orkney and Shetland

Abstract

The sea cliffs of the north of Scotland, Orkney and Shetland continue to a considerable depth beneath the sea before they meet the flat sea floor. The depth at which this junction occurs increases steadily northwards from about 30 fathoms in north-east Scotland to about 45 fathoms in Shetland. The profile of the coast from the final break of slope to the waterline is usually concave upwards, but in many places it is formed of a series of steps. It is argued that this coastal profile is due to marine erosion acting over a long period of time at a series of different levels due to changes in the height of the sea relative to the land.