Find out the geological appearance, structure and composition at Peacehaven, Newhaven and Rottingdean.

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Robert Ashley

Index

Page 1: Cover page

Page 2: Index And Introduction

Page 3: Peacehaven profile

Page 4: Newhaven West profile

Page 5: Newhaven East profile

Page 6: Rottingdean profile

Page 7: Explanation to Peacehaven profile

Page 8: Explanation to Newhaven West and East and Rottingdean profiles

Page 9: Data and Calculations and explaining the problem of using an average figure

Page 10: Graph representing data collected

Page 11: Problems of cliff retreat + solutions

Page 12: More solutions

Page 13: More solutions + Different views on the solutions

Introduction  

      In this coursework we hope to achieve many aims and we will accomplish these by visiting cliffs at Peacehaven, East Newhaven, West Newhaven and Rottingdean. Our aims are to find out the appearance, structure and composition at Peacehaven, Newhaven and Rottingdean. What the wave processes and types evident at each site are. How wave processes and cliff characteristics affect the appearance of the cliffs. What effects the physical processes on these cliff lines had on the people in the locality and what the likely consequences are and what steps could be taken to reduce the erosion hazard in these areas and what the cost and benefits are for local communities.

Explanation Of Profile 1, Peacehaven

     

      Here there are many joints, faults and lines of weakness and on these faults there are many flint modules much like all the other profiles. Furthermore there are many bedding planes again like the other profiles. Heavy breakers strike the cliffs, forcing water under high pressure into the bedding planes and joints, compressing any air within. As each breaker recedes, the air expands, often with explosive force, and spalls of chalk or larger blocks are split off from the cliffs resulting in the rock falls on the wave cut platform, this is called hydraulic action. This happens on cliffs made of chalk, like this one. Also the angle it is at is almost completely vertical which is normal with chalk cliffs, as they have a high degree of internal cohesion, unprotected in Sussex because of frequent wave attack. In addition there is a big undercut at the bottom because of a constant pounding from the sea using flints picked up by the waves on the beach and on the seabed, this is called corrasion. Also as it is an active cliff there are other types of erosion like corrosion caused by soluble rocks being dissolved. Furthermore there is chemical weathering from the salt spray from the sea dissolving the rock. There could also be physical weathering in the winter when freeze thaw action takes place and there is biological weathering from the grass on the top of the cliff.

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Explanation Of Profile 2, Newhaven West

     

      This cliff is made of sandstone at the top and the rest is chalk. So as sandstone is a soft rock the angle of the dip is less steep than at Peacehaven. Also we know that clay is present as there is evidence of slipping and sliding and these only occur when clay is there. Also there are a lot of joints, faults and bedding planes which could result ...

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