Davies (1980) put sea cliff slope profiles into three categories
according to the relative importance of weathering and erosion. Cliffs
where marine erosion is much more important than weathering he
saw as typically very steep or vertical and retreating as a result of
undercutting being followed by cliff collapse. Where both weathering
and marine erosion are of similar importance a bevelled cliff profile
is likely to emerge. Where weathering and mass movement are more
important than marine erosion, the slumped and stepped profile is
most likely to evolve.