Geography of the Wessex Coast and Coastal Features

Wessex Coast

Chesil Beach → Hurst Castle

Landform Factors

RRAWS: Rock type, Rock structure, Aspect, Wave energy, Sea level change

Sub-aerial Processes

weathering, mass movement

Marine Erosion

Abrasion, hydraulic action, attrition

Transport

Saltation, suspension, traction, aeolian

Deposition

Longshore drift builds features like beaches, bars, and spits.

Hurst Castle Spit

Drift-aligned shingle spit (longshore drift in Christchurch Bay), 2km long, ~150m wide

Saltmarsh

Behind Hurst Castle Spit = Keyhaven → halophytic vegetation

Recurved Tip

Strong tidal currents at the tip of Hurst Castle Spit

Shingle Replenishment

1996-7 due to breach risk in 1989

Lulworth Cove

Concordant coastline: resistant limestone parallel to sea with 45m cliffs. behind limestone is less resistant wealden beds of clay and sands. breach point of weakness (stream) at Lulworth enabled eave energy to pass through 30m neck to produce a 350x250m arch

Durdle Door

15m Arch on a limestone headland due to erosion at weak point, 1500m west of Lulworth

Old Harry Rocks

Chalk headland 4km of Swanage on a stretch of discordant coast, stack eroded from headland

Chesil Beach

Tombolo connecting Isle of Portland to mainland Dorset, 30km long, UK's longest shingle ridge

Shore Platform

Dancing Ledge, Purbeck (Portland Limestone), 200-600m wide, max 5° slope

Cliffs

The Foreland (chalk), 50-100m high