Table 1 Summary of study site cliff-forming lithology, cliff erosion rate, and wave climatology.

Okakari point, Auckland (AK1)

Flysch (volcanic-rich) with alternating mudstone and sandstones*

< 0.02³²

Intermediate wave energy with occasional tropical storm events

Red beach, Auckland (AK2)

Flysch (volcanic-poor) with alternating siltstones and sandstones*

< 0.02³²

Low wave energy with occasional tropical storm events

Rothesay bay, Auckland (AK3)

Flysch (volcanic-poor) with alternating siltstones and sandstones*

< 0.02³²

Low wave energy with occasional tropical storm events

Sunset cliff, San Diego (SD1)

Cretaceous sedimentary overlaid by Pleistocene terrace deposits³³

0.06–0.43³⁴

Seasonal winter-high and summer-low wave energy

Del Mar, San Diego (SD2)

Eocene sedimentary overlaid by weakly cemented sandy Pleistocene terrace deposits³³

0.03–0.10³⁴

Seasonal winter-high and summer-low wave energy

Nash point, Vale of Glamorgan (VG)

Jurassic Blue Lias Limestone, alternating bands of organic-rich, finely laminated shales and limestones³⁵

0.06–0.08³⁵

High energy storm wave