Christchurch Bay Case Study

Where is Christchurch Bay?

Christchurch is a town in Dorset just east of Bournemouth. Christchurch bay stretches from the headland called Hengistbury Head in the west to Hurst Castle spit,in Hampshire, in the east, a distance of eleven miles.

What makes Christchurch Bay distinctive?

The coast at Christchurch Bay is made up of soft sedimentary rocks like sands and clays.In many places the sands and gravels lie on top of the clay and as a result cliff erosion has been rapid at the over 1 metre Per year at Barton on Sea.The bay faces south and receives predominantly south westerly winds which cause longshore drift to operate from west to east along the coast creating the mile long spit at Hurst castle on the eastern end of the bay. The small towns are generally attractive and quiet to retired people due to the warm climate, good coastal views and areas of flat coastal walks.

What is the landscape character of Christchurch Bay?

Mich of the coast in this area are just south of the new forest and streams that flow from this national park meet the sea in Christchurch Bay.Cliffs are low and made of soft sands and gravels and clay.Town like Barton. highcliffe and Midford attract tourists for day trips and quiet holidays by the sea and the new forest. Barton on sea is also famous for the fossilised sharks teeth which can be found in the clay cliffs or on the beach at low tide.

What geomorphic processes at happening along Christchurch bay?

Erosion, transportation, deposition.

Erosion

SHAA are very rapidly wearing away the softer clay cliffs between highcliffe and Barton on sea .millions of pounds have been spent by New Forest District Council in an attempt to stop this process at highcliffe.