Jurassic Coast-Case Study

• The coastal environment along the Jurassic coast is a rocky, high energy coastline.
• Located on the south coasts of england, this 90 mile long stretch of coastal environment showcases many coastal landforms.
• Lulworth cove is a bay and is a concordant coastline. The cove was created by the erosive power of the waves which carved out a horseshoe shaped bay.
• West bay is located in Bridport Dorset and is a popular tourist destination. The cliffs of west bay are made up of Jurassic aged rocks which are prone to landslides.
• Old harry rocks are located on the eastern end of the coast near swanage. They are a series of chalk stacks that have been formed by coastal erosion over millions of years.
• Formed during the Mesozoic Era over 185 million year, and consisting of concordant and discordant coastline, the Jurassic coast is compromised of mainly chalk, limestone and sandstone.
• Rates of erosion do vary partly due to the difference in wave energy but largely due to variation in resistance of the different geologies.
• The coast recieves around 900mm of rainfall per year. The wettest month being December.
• Chalk along parts of the coastline are prone to freeze thaw as it is porous rock that allows water to percolate into its pores.
• The dominant wind and wave direction influencing this coastline are from the south west, with a maximum fetch of over 4000km.
• Hydraulic action and abrasion increase during a storm and erode the base of the cliffs. This makes them unstable and means that mass movement is more likely to happen.
• The south westerly prevailing winds which bring storms to the UK from the Atlantic Ocean.
• As waves break on the beach, they push pebbles up the beach, they push pebbles up the beach creating a steep gradient.
• During storms larger waves can push pebbles further up the beach, leading to the formation of berm ridges. Overtime the movement of pebbles has led to the formation of a ridge and runnel system of chesil beach.
• The coastline is located within sediment cell 6 and 5. Sediment moves from west to east along most of the coast.