• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.148-156
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• 2002

The coastline of Hampyung Bay, southwestern coast of Korea, was examined and measured in the field for the understanding of geomorphic changes and sea-cliff erosion processes. The Hampyung-Bay coastline is characterized by steep-face slope and soft soil and/or intensively weathered rock composition. Saw teeth-shaped coastline, and relict weathered basement-rock and "Island Stack" exposed on the beach surface are peculiar geomorphic features indicating active sea-cliff erosion. The coastline in the study area is continuously retreating with the following cyclic process: erosion of cliff base, gravitational landslide or mass wasting, formation of talus, and then erosion and removal of talus. In this study, sea-level rise during summer in the west coast of Korea is suggested as one of the key factors fur the removal of soil taluses and, thereby, accelerating sea-cliff erosion.f erosion.