The correct option is (a).
Explanation
Coastal landforms are primarily classified into two categories based on the dominant geomorphic process: erosional landforms (formed by the wearing away of land) and depositional landforms (formed by the accumulation of sediments). Sea waves act as the primary agent for both processes.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: A sea cliff is a steep, often vertical, rocky coastal feature. It is an erosional landform created when sea waves continuously strike against the base of the coast, undercutting it and causing the overhanging rock to collapse. This process results in a steep wall-like structure facing the sea.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Beaches are depositional landforms, not erosional ones. They are formed when sea waves deposit sediments-such as sand, gravel, pebbles, and shingles-along the shore. While erosion elsewhere provides the sediment, the formation of the beach itself is a result of accumulation (deposition), usually occurring in areas where wave energy is low.
Key Takeaway:
Sea cliffs are formed by erosion (wave scouring), whereas beaches are formed by deposition (sediment accumulation). Confusing the two processes is a common error in geomorphology.