The Dorset Coast (and a little bit of Hampshire!) ~ a virtual field trip ~ I took this picture!

Where it is located

Day 1– The journey to Dorset! Day 2 – Lyme Regis to Ringstead Bay

Groynes An aerial photo of Lyme Regis Bay, showing ‘The Cobb’ (Harbour) and where the River Lim meets the sea

Lyme Regis ~ Charmouth ~ Golden Cap

The cliff top at Black Ven The coast is unstable because there are numerous situations where porous strata, principally the Chalk and Upper Greensand, lie over impermeable clays. Black Ven between Lyme Regis and Charmouth. Upper Greensand lies over Lower Jurassic clays. The largest coastal mudflow in Europe took place here in the winter of 1958/9 The cliff top at Black Ven

How Landslides occur

The gradient of the beach can get very steep Chesil Beach Isle of Portland The Fleet West Bay (west) Pebbles are ’sorted!’ Portland (east) The gradient of the beach can get very steep

The Isle of Portland When the island was uplifted, a series of massive fractures developed in the limestone.

Portland Harbour (South of Weymouth) Weymouth is a traditional seaside resort. It is protected by the Isle of Portland. Portland Harbour (South of Weymouth)

White Nothe Headland from Ringstead Bay

Day 3 – Ringstead Bay to St. Alban’s head Durdle Door ~ Lulworth Cove ~ Stair Hole ~ Warbarrow Bay ~ Tynham ~ Broad Bench ~ Kimmeridge ~ Winspit

Durdle Door ~ A Limestone Arch Eventually the arch will collapse to leave a sea stack

Chalk Hills stop the cove eroding any further inland Lulworth Cove Chalk Hills stop the cove eroding any further inland Soft sand and clays Limestone Headlands

Stair Hole Small arch is only gap in the limestone. Marine processes eroding further inland

The formation of Lulworth Cove, Stair Hole and the future

Tyneham from Gadd Cliff Worbarrow Bay Tyneham from Gadd Cliff (Note the land use) Broad Bench

Kimmeridge Bay – A wave cut platform

Waves shape the coastline. St. Alban’s Head Winspit (behind) Chapmans Pool Waves shape the coastline. Winspit

Day 4 – St. Albans Head to Sandbanks

Looking out to see from Anvil Point Dancing Ledge (+ tidal pool!) Sandbanks Studland Old Harry Swanage Bay Peveril Point Looking out to see from Anvil Point Durlston Head Anvil Point

Swanage Swanage Bay

Old Harry Rocks – A stack Collapsed Undercuttingmeans stack will collapse New cave forming

Studland – Sand Dune System 3 Major dune ridges Little Sea Fieldwork (transects!)

Development of Studland – Blown Sands Little Sea

View over dune slack with further vegetation succession Younger dunes with Marram Grass Actual fieldwork! Hmmmmmm!

Day 5 – Sandbanks to Barton on Sea and the Isle of White

Bournemouth Sandbanks Bournemouth Bournemouth Pier Groynes

Hengistbury Head Christchurch Harbour Spit Groynes Long Groyne Sediment Build Up

Hengistbury Head Unstable Cliffs Gullies Groynes Salt Marsh Erosion

Barton on Sea Landslides House! Barton on Sea Landslides Landslip

Barton on Sea Christchurch Bay Evidence of lanslides Land Use

River Medina ~ A Ria Isle of Wight East Cowes West Cowes River Medina To Newport