Jurassic Coast

Where is the Jurassic Coast located?

On the south coast of England, stretching from Exmouth in Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset.

How long is the Jurassic Coast?

Approximately 155 km (95 miles).

Why is the Jurassic Coast a World Heritage Site?

It displays around 185 million years of geological history through its rocks, fossils and landforms.

What are the three main geological periods represented?

Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous.

What is a discordant coastline?

A coastline where bands of different rock types meet the sea at right angles.

What is a concordant coastline?

A coastline where bands of rock run parallel to the coastline.

What is the sequence of coastal erosion landforms at a headland?

Crack → cave → arch → stack → stump.

How does hydraulic action erode a coastline?

Waves force water and air into cracks, increasing pressure and breaking rock apart.

How does abrasion erode a coastline?

Rock fragments carried by waves scrape against the cliffs.

What is a wave-cut platform?

A gently sloping rocky surface left behind as a cliff retreats.

How is a wave-cut platform formed?

Waves erode the cliff base, creating a notch

What is the name of the famous natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast?

Durdle Door.

How was Durdle Door formed?

Waves exploited weaknesses in the limestone, enlarging them into a cave and then an arch.

What is Lulworth Cove?

A sheltered, almost circular bay formed where the sea breached resistant rock and eroded softer rocks behind it.

How was Lulworth Cove formed?

The sea breached a narrow band of resistant Portland limestone, then rapidly eroded softer rocks behind it.

What is Stair Hole?

A small cove near Lulworth Cove showing an earlier stage of coastal erosion.

What is Chesil Beach?

A long shingle barrier beach stretching approximately 29 km along the Dorset coast.

How was Chesil Beach formed?

Longshore drift transported and deposited shingle along the coast.

What is longshore drift?

The movement of sediment along a coast by waves approaching at an angle and retreating under gravity.

What is a spit?

A narrow ridge of deposited sediment extending from the coast into the sea.

What is one economic benefit of the Jurassic Coast?

Tourism creates jobs and income for local businesses.

How does the Jurassic Coast support tourism?

Visitors come for its scenery, fossils, walking routes, beaches and geological features.

Give one environmental challenge caused by tourism on the Jurassic Coast.

Footpath erosion and habitat disturbance caused by large numbers of visitors.

How can tourism damage geological sites?

Collecting fossils irresponsibly and trampling can damage fragile sites and habitats.

What is one management strategy used on the Jurassic Coast?

Footpath maintenance and visitor information help reduce erosion and protect sensitive areas.

Why is fossil collecting regulated in some areas?

To protect important geological evidence and prevent damage to cliffs and fossil sites.

What is coastal erosion?

The wearing away of cliffs and coastal land by waves and other processes.

What is mass movement?

The downhill movement of rock or soil under gravity.

How can heavy rainfall increase cliff instability?

Water saturates rock or soil, increasing its weight and potentially reducing friction.

Why can soft rock erode faster than hard rock?

Soft rock is less resistant to erosion and is worn away more quickly by waves.

What is differential erosion?

Different rock types erode at different rates because they have different levels of resistance.

Why is the Jurassic Coast important for scientific research?

Its exposed rock layers and fossils help scientists understand Earth's geological history and past life.