This EarthCache is about rocks and erosion and sea defences along the beach and promenade here.
Burnham-on-Sea is notable for its beach and mudflats, the danger they pose to individuals and shipping, and the efforts to which locals have gone in defending their town and preventing loss of life. Burnham is close to the estuary of the River Parrett where it flows into the Bristol Channel, which has the second highest tidal range in the world. Burnham's extensive mud flats are characteristic of Bridgwater Bayand the rest of the Bristol Channel, where the tide can recede for over 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres). Bridgwater Bay consists of large areas of mud flats, saltmarsh, sandflats and shingle ridges, some of which are vegetated. It has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1989, and is designated as a wetland of international importance.
Burnham was seriously affected by the Bristol Channel floods of 1607, and various flood defences have been installed since then. In 1911, a concrete sea wall was built, and after World War II further additions to the defences were made using the remains of a Mulberry harbour.
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To claim this EarthCache you must visit the waypoints and answer these questions:
Stage 1 (Listed Co ordinates): One risk posed to Burnham on Sea is flooding, which is why the seawall was built. Describe the texture of the rocks you can see here.
Stage 2: Another risk here are the mudflats along the beach as they are often slippery and act like quicksand. Using the info board here, what in the past would they have done with the mud at low tide?
Stage 3: What is Somersets highest hill and how tall is it?
Stage 4: The island ahead of you is Stert Island, explain what impact erosion is having to the rock which forms the base of the Island?
Optional: Post a photo of yourself or your GPS with the coast behind you in your log
Please send your answers at the same time as you log the cache, we will reply to you if your answers are correct or incorrect