Benacre

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.

Cross-bedded sands and gravels underlain by bioturbated sandy clay. Westleton Formation; part of the Norwich Crag (early Pleistocene) at Benacre Cliffs, just north of Covehithe in Suffolk. Above the cross-bedded unit, blown sand merges into modern soil.

Detail of cross-bedded sands and gravels of the Westleton Formation; part of the Norwich Crag (early Pleistocene) at Benacre Cliffs, just north of Covehithe in Suffolk.

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. The collapsed WW2 pill-box illustrates the erosion process.

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.