Coastal Cliffs

Sheer rock faces meeting the sea directly, shaped by wave action at their base — diagnostic feature is visible undercutting and often distinct horizontal strata exposed in the rock face, plus the immediate, uninterrupted transition from cliff to open water with no beach or shallow zone between.

Grassland / Steppe

Sheer cliffs meeting the sea, open grass right to the cliff edge above.

Temperate

coastal cliffs temperate 01

Setting: Coastal

Candidate: The Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Scrubland / Chaparral

Sea cliffs with dry, low coastal scrub covering the clifftop.

Mediterranean

coastal cliffs scrubland 01

Setting: Coastal

Candidate: The Big Sur coastline, California