This is an earthcache on the coast of Yorkshire.
The Holderness coast is famous worldwide for its rate of coastal erosion. The unique geology of the coastline and the long fetch of the sea from Scandinavia are resulting in the rapid receding of the coast.
The cliffs here are made up of a mixture of morraine and glacial till. Glacial till is made up of unassorted materials and dust formed by the abrasion of the glacier on surrounding bedrock. This till is carried as far as the glacier travels and then is deposited when the glacier recedes.
Coastal erosion is the action of the sea breaking down the coastline. There are 4 main types of erosion which can occur on the Holderness Coast. Attrition is when rocks rub against each other in the sea and then grind against the bottom of the cliff. Abrasion is where rocks are thrown at the cliff and this weakens the joints. Corrosion is where chemicals in the sea break down or dissolve the cliffs. The other type is Hydraulic Action which is where water is forced into the cracks in the cliffs and then rushes out as the wave recedes into its backswash.
All of these processes are contributing to the slow disappearance of the Holderness Coast. Near the published coordinates you should be able to see where some old houses are slowly falling off the cliff as it recedes.
You can access the location by parking up at Mr Moo's Ice Cream Parlour. The footpath is owned by the Parlour so is not shown on OS Maps.
In order to claim this earthcache please perform the following tasks:
1) Estimate the height of the cliffs.
2) Take a picture of the clifs with you or your GPS in the frame.
3) What is glacial till.
Please include photographs in all logs and email me the answers to the questions.
Thanks I hope you enjoy this earthcache.