The distinction between these two behavioural modes has important
implications for coastal management. However, our understanding
of Mode A coasts is poor (Trenhaile, 1987). Thus, Carpenter et al. (2012)
examined shore profile evolution on a site of varied soft cliff lithology on
the southwest coast of the Isle of Wight (UK) using the 2D SCAPE model
(Walkden and Hall, 2005). Across the frontage, beaches were identified
as below the protective threshold volume by Stuiver et al. (2013). Subsequently,
the study emphasised the control exerted by more resistant
rock layers on the emergent vertical shore profile shape,with distinctive
ledge features identifiable within bathymetric data corresponding to
harder rock layers. It can be hypothesised that such layers experience
reduced rates of erosion on the basis of the plan shape evolution of the
study frontage, which includes the formation of a series of persistent,
discrete headlands. However, such morphology could not be replicated
within the current version of the SCAPE model owing to the use of a single
material strength value to characterise the cliff face.