Which coastal feature typically has less erosive power and more deposition?

The correct choice highlights a coastal feature that is associated with less erosive power and a tendency toward deposition. Bays are typically formed in areas where the coastline is less rugged and where softer rock materials may erode more slowly, allowing for the accumulation of sediments.

In bays, the water is often calmer compared to the open sea due to being partially sheltered by landforms, which reduces the intensity of wave action. This reduction in wave energy results in less erosion and more opportunities for sediments, such as sand and pebbles, to accumulate within the bay. Consequently, bays can serve as areas of deposition, where materials brought in by waves settle rather than being washed away.

In contrast, features like wave-cut platforms, cliff retreats, and sea stacks are more directly associated with high-energy wave action, which promotes erosion rather than deposition. A wave-cut platform forms at the base of cliffs due to relentless wave action wearing away the rock. Cliff retreats generally indicate ongoing erosion of coastal cliffs, while sea stacks are remnants of eroded cliffs that stand isolated in the sea, signifying strong wave action and erosion in their formation. Thus, a bay represents a more tranquil coastal environment conducive to sediment deposition rather than erosion.