Headland

brown rocky cliffs of Anacapa Island with view of lighthouse on top of them
Anacapa Island. ©Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com.
A headland is a raised area of land that has a steep cliff on one side, overlooking and extending out into the ocean. A headland is formed when a hard, resistant area of rock has had the softer, less resistant rock around it eroded (worn away), leaving behind a sheer side. A very large headland is called a cape.

Last updated: November 9, 2018