Benacre Cliffs - Westleton Formation

Benacre Cliffs, just north of Covehithe in Suffolk, are comprised of cross-bedded sands and gravels of the Westleton Formation, with beds of bioturbated clay; part of the Norwich Crag, early Pleistocene in age.

This stretch of coast line is currently experiencing the most active coastal erosion in the UK, with average loss rates of around 7 metres per year. The cliffs are only recently formed and are growing in height. The land behind the cliff line is a gentle hill, therefore as the sea eats into the cliff line causing it to retreat westwards into the hillside, so the top of the cliff gets higher.