Ingeography, acape is aheadland,peninsula orpromontory extending into abody of water, usually asea.[1] A cape usually represents a marked change in trend of thecoastline,[2] often making them important landmarks in sea navigation. This also makes them prone to natural forms oferosion, mainly tidal actions, resulting in a relatively short geological lifespan.
Capes can be formed byglaciers,volcanoes, and changes insea level.[2] Erosion plays a large role in each of these methods of formation.[3]Coastal erosion by waves and currents can create capes by wearing away softer rock and leaving behind harder rock formations. Movements of the Earth's crust can uplift land, forming capes. For example, theCape of Good Hope was formed by tectonic forces. Volcanic eruptions can create capes by depositing lava that solidifies into new landforms.Cape Verde, (also known asCabo Verde) is an example of a volcanic cape.[4] Glaciers can carve out capes by eroding the landscape as they advance and retreat.Cape Cod in the United States was formed by glacial activity during thelast Ice Age.[3]
Capes (and other headlands) are conspicuous visual landmarks along a coast, and sailors have relied on them fornavigation since antiquity.[5][6] The Greeks and Romans considered some to besacred capes and erected temples to the sea god nearby.
Greekperipli describe capes and other headlands a sailor will encounter along a route. ThePeriplus of Pseudo-Scylax, for instance, illustrates a clockwise journey aroundSicily using three capes that define its triangular shape:Cape Peloro in the northeast,Cape Pachynus in the southeast, andCape Lilybaeum in the west.[5] Sicily itself was referred to as Trinacria (or Three Capes) in antiquity.[7]
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