Cliff Collapse

The collapse of cliffs can be described in three steps.

• Soft clay cliffs are impermeable and hold rain water.

• The sea is attacking/eroding the base of the cliff, causing a wave-cut notch to form.

• At the same time heavy rainfall causes the soft clay to become saturated, causing a slip plane to form.

• The weight of the clay causes the cliff to slump or collapse.

This results in……

CLIFF COLLAPSE

Case Study – The Holderness Coast, Holbeck Hall Hotel.

• At Flamborough Head there is a large amount of chalk in the cliffs. The chalk is much harder than the boulder clay at Filey Bay to the North and Holderness to the South.

Background Information

• The scenery has high cliffs, some of the highest in England which reaches upto 200m high.