1 - CLIFF EROSION AT SHERINGHAM AND RUNTON

Here you will find digital images that illustrate coastal erosion.These were taken on the north Norfolk coastline between Sheringham and West Runton. To locate this area on a map click here. This area of Norfolk would be submerged under the North Sea if it were not for a thick layer of Boulder Clay deposited by the retreating ice sheets during the last ice age. The cliffs consist of a soft material called boulder clay. As it is relatively soft and crumbles in the hand, the sea erodes it rapidly. Look for evidence of the rapid erosion taking place in the photographs below.Click on the thumbnail images for larger image files that will appear in a new window.

Images 1
Cliff Erosion
Images 2
Sea Defences
Images 3
Defence Repair
Images 4
Cromer
Undercutting of the cliff by the sea has caused collapse.
Basal slumping and cliff collapse.
Here the coastal road has collapsed to the base of the cliff
Undercutting and cliff retreat have caused
the coastal road to collapse onto the beach
Rotational slip is evident in the shape of the lobe.
The steep angle of the cliff changes to the gentle slope of the lobe of collapsed material.
The reinforced concrete slabs are no match for the force of the waves.
More evidence of the rapid retreat of the boulder clay cliff with the cliff road now collapsed onto the beach.
Graded beach material
The eroded boulder clay is broken down by the action of the sea to form pebbles and sand.
The saturated boulder clay is weaker than the dry rock
At this point a water spring emerges from the cliff. This accelerates the rate of erosion here. Why?
You can see the drainage water emerging.
The person in the photograph helps to establish the size of the cliffs.
Here a very large piece of the whole cliff face has become detatched from the cliff.
Large pieces of the cliff can become detached despite the sea defences built by man.
Processes of Coastal Erosion.
Corrasion (Abrasion) is when pebbles and boulders are pounded against the cliff face causing cliff damage.
Attrition is when the pebbles and boulders break into smaller pieces eventually becoming sand.
Hydraulic action is when air is trapped between the wave and cliff causing compressed air to damage the cliff.
Corrosion is the chemical breakdown of cliff rock such as limestone into a solution.
Images 1
Cliff Erosion
Images 2
Sea Defences
Images 3
Defence Repair
Images 4
Cromer

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