What phenomenon occurs when cliffs move backwards due to erosion?

Cliff retreat is the correct term for the phenomenon that occurs when cliffs gradually move backwards due to the process of erosion. This process often results from the action of waves, wind, and rainfall, which collectively wear away the rock and soil at the base and top of the cliffs. Over time, this erosion undermines the stability of the cliff face, causing it to collapse and retreat landward.

In coastal environments, this can also be linked to various factors such as the type of rock material, the angle of the cliff, and the frequency and intensity of wave action. As the cliff retreats, it may contribute to the formation of features like wave-cut platforms, which are flat areas created by the continuous erosion at the base of the cliff. However, these processes are part of broader coastal dynamics and do not describe the primary phenomenon of backward movement itself, which is specifically identified as cliff retreat.