A photo of a wave-cut bench.
By Geology and Ecology of National Parks
June 1990 (approx.)
Detailed Description
The cliffs and wave-cut bench consist of light gray siliceous marine mudstone and sandstone of the Purisima Formation along Drakes Beach, near the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center. The Pleistocene wave-cut terraces in the foreground are exposed during the winter months, when increased wave-action exposes them by eroding the beach sand. The Purisima Formation (Clark and Brabb, 1997) contains marine fossils that indicate the sedimentary rocks are of Miocene to Pliocene age.
Sources/Usage
A photo of a wave-cut bench.