Was here once EarthCache

This cache is temporarily unavailable.

Geocaching HQ Admin: It has now been more than 30 days since Geocaching HQ asked the owner of this EarthCache to post an Owner maintenance log to confirm they are actively monitoring the cache page.

Since no Owner maintenance log has been posted, this EarthCache is now temporarily disabled. Geocaching HQ will archive the cache if the cache owner does not post an Owner maintenance log and re-enable the cache in the next 30 days.

More information in the Help Center

More
Hidden : 3/24/2013
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

A view of the cliffs which will show you the rate of coastal erosion in this area.  Sea defences have been completely undermind by the North Sea,

Look at the photos included and if you can log photos so we can note the change in the cliffs.

The coastal areas of Norfolk and Suffolk are renowned for their rich history, beauty and natural diversity. There is however growing concern that many areas of the coastline are under threat from erosion and that the beaches, houses and nature reserves that are so plentiful in this area may soon be lost to the sea.
Many parts of the region have already suffered losses due to the intensification of coastal erosion. It is estimated that the sea is advancing onto undefended coastline by around 1 m each year, however some soft cliffs such as those at Kessingland and Covehithe are retreating at rates of up to 10 m each year, that is over 2.5 cm each day.

Coastal erosion is the wearing away of land and the removal of beach or dune sediments by wave action, tidal currents, wave currents, or drainage. Waves, generated by storms, wind, or fast moving motor craft, cause coastal erosion, which may take the form of long-term losses of sediment and rocks, or merely the temporary redistribution of coastal sediments; erosion in one location may result in accretion nearby. The study of erosion and sediment redistribution is called 'coastal morphodynamics'. It may be caused by hydraulic action, abrasion, impact and corrosion. On non-rocky coasts, coastal erosion results in dramatic (or non-dramatic) rock formations in areas where the coastline contains rock layers or fracture zones with varying resistance to erosion. Softer areas become eroded much faster than harder ones, which typically result in landforms such as tunnels, bridges, columns, and pillars. Also abrasion commonly happens in areas where there are strong winds,loose sand,and soft rocks.The blowing of millions of sharp sand grains creates a sandblasting effects. This effect helps to erode,smooth and polish rocks.The definition of abrasion is grinding and wearing away of rock surfaces through the mechanical action of other rock or sand particles. The three main types of erosion are:-
Hydraulic actio-n Hydraulic action occurs when waves striking a cliff face compress air in cracks on the cliff face. This exerts pressure on the surrounding rock, and can progressively splinter and remove pieces. Over time, the cracks can grow, sometimes forming a cave. The splinters fall to the sea bed where they are subjected to further wave action. Attrition- Attrition occurs when waves causes loose pieces of rock debris (scree) to collide with each other, grinding and chipping each other, progressively becoming smaller, smoother and rounder. Scree also collides with the base of the cliff face, chipping small pieces of rock from the cliff or have a corrasion (abrasion) effect, similar to sandpapering. Corrasion and corrosion- Corrasion (abrasion) occurs when waves break on cliff faces and slowly erode it. As the sea pounds cliff faces it also uses the scree from other wave actions to batter and break off pieces of rock from higher up the cliff face which can be used for this same wave action and attrition. Corrosion or solution/chemical weathering occurs when the sea's pH (anything below pH 7.0) corrodes rocks on a cliff face. Limestone cliff faces, which have a high pH, are particularly affected in this way. Wave action also increases the rate of reaction by removing the reacted material.
Looking at the next photo you can see the different layers of sediment that makes up these cliffs and you can notice the clay top layer is very difficult for ground water to pernetrate through to the next layer, making the top layer very wet and prone to sliding.
Looking at this Photo from the early 1930's


You can clearly see a large beach with no sea defences.  

The next picture shows an aerial view of the sea defences built in the 1960'S


Now, follow the cliff and stand on the point and see what the sea has done to the sea defences now.  you will see that they have been completely undermined this is due to the long shore drift which has been pulling the deposits of sand and stones away from the beach and depositing them further up the coast. Further south the once stoneless beach of Lowestoft is now being encroached by pebbles and even further south the sea defences built off the wall at kessingland ar now about 500m inland from the high tide mark and the only things showing are the warning markers from the tops of the groynes.
(OPTIONAL)Please take a photo and upload it to this cache so we can see the difference as time goes by.

Presently this point loses 1 metre of cliff per year.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



Attributes

No attributes available

Advertising with Us

Inventory

There are no Trackables in this cache.

View past Trackables

What are Trackable Items?

Bookmark Lists

View all bookmark lists...