Easterbrook (1973) shows Birch Point to be composed primarily of Bellingham glaciomarine drift with a veneer of sand and gravel. This material, when wet, has low strength and is prone to slumping or flow, particularly along the sea cliffs.
Coastal Processes of the Whatcom County Mainland (dnr.wa.gov)Numerous natural erosional and depositional processes operate upon shorelines to create a diversity of coastal landforms. Waves are among the most important causes of this diversity as they remove, build, and shape beaches and sea cliffs.
