Case Study of the Dorset Coast

The Dorset Coast The Dorset Coast is part of an area of coastline known as the Jurassic Coast and is one of the most attractive and best known stretches of coast in the UK. In 2001 it was designated a World Heritage Site in recognition of the variety of spectacular geological and geomorphological features. World Heritage Status means it is considered as important as famous sites such as the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef

Why is the Jurassic Coast so special? The Jurassic coast is one of the most significant earth science sites in the world. In just 95 miles of coastline are a near-continuous sequence of rocks, from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The coast also boasts many classic coastal features such as Lulworth Cove, Chesil Beach and yields superbly preserved fossil remains.

Location The Dorset Coast is located on the South Coast of England. It stretches from Lyme Regis in the west to Bournemouth in the east.

The Dorset Coast can be divided into two distinct areas: Coastline of erosion from Lulworth Cove to Swanage Bay. Coastline of deposition - Chesil Beach west of Portland Bill

Coastline of Erosion – Lulworth Cove to Swanage Bay The area around Lulworth Cove to Swanage Bay is an area of coastal erosion. The geology of the area is responsible for creating the spectacular coastal land forms such as Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door (sea arch), Stair Hole and Old Harry (sea stack). From Lulworth Cove to Durlston head the coastline is concordant (alternating bands of hard and soft rock lie parallel to the coast). Moving northwards from Durlston Head to Studland Bay the coastline is discordant (alternating bands of hard and soft rock meet the coast at right angles).

Concordant Coast

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1. Chesil Beach Chesil beach stretches for 18km and is made of pebbles and shingle. It is Britain’s longest tombolo. A tombolo is a spit that connects to an island – in this case, the Isle of Portland.

2. Durdle Door Durdle Door is an excellent example of a sea arch. The sea has broken through the outer wall of Porland Stone and rapidly eroded the Purbeck Bed behind.

3. Lulworth Cove Lulworth Cove is a small circular bay with a narrow seaward opening. It is thought that the weak point that produced the opening was due to a river. Marine erosion exploited the line of weakness produced by the river and eroded the weaker rocks behind the Portland Stone until the more resistant chalk cliffs were reached.

4. Studland Bay Studland Bay was voted the fourth top beach in the UK by Which Magazine. Glorious sandy beaches stretch for three miles and includes a designated naturist (nudist) area!

5. Studland Heath The heathland behind Studland Beach is a haven for many rare birds and wildlife. Rare heathland plants grow here and it is home to all six British reptiles – 3 species of lizard and 3 species of snake.

6. Old Harry Rocks Old Harry Rocks are chalk sea stacks that have been eroded by the power of the sea.