Transcript this file
The Jurassic Coast. The Dorset and East Devon World Heritage Coast. All pictures © Alan Holiday 2003 World Heritage Coast Education Strategy, part 2 Portland Bill, Christmas 2002, evidence of process and landform. Weymouth • Weymouth is one of the gateway towns for the World Heritage coast and acts as an access point as does Lyme Regis, Sidmouth and Swanage among others. Tourism in these towns is likely to benefit from World Heritage status as they provide major foci of varied accommodation and tourism activity. World Heritage Site Bid Document An ideal opportunity to study the impact of changes in the tertiary sector. Weymouth Harbour on a January day, evidence for the opportunity of shoulder month tourism and also gentrification. Bowleaze Cove: • Bowleaze Cove, east of Weymouth, has many interesting features including trace fossils and ripple marks. The geology provides ideal opportunities for interpreting varying environmental conditions when the rocks were deposited. Can you relate modern processes to ancient processes in terms of sedimentary structures such as these ripple marks? Redcliff Point: • Further east the rocks are exposed in the cliffs which are affected by classic massmovement processes. Using data available in published sources it would be possible to determine rates of recession of this coastline. Ringstead: • At Ringstead some of the geology has been covered by new beach material acting as coastal protection, an example of conflicting interests along the coast. Issues here relating to the benefits and effectiveness of coastal protection and the conflict between SSSIs and property values. White Nothe • White Nothe provides an ideal vantage point to survey the coastal scenery both to the east and west White Nothe looking west over the lowlands of Weymouth From such vantage points the relationship between geology and landscape can be studied especially the varied coastal features The view from the sea: • The view is also interesting from the sea and guided boat trips provide a major opportunity for geotourism development. This is a major economic opportunity, what are the difficulties of developing sea borne tourism? Chalk grassland of the cliff edge has a diverse flora and fauna. Another opportunity to study biological diversity along the coast in areas not affected by agricultural activity. • Rose chaffer on Wild Carrot, seen between White Nothe and Durdle Door. Evidence of the interesting and diverse wildlife that can be studied. Lulworth: • Lulworth is a honey-pot site and through the Lulworth Estate very large numbers of visitors are attracted by the unique coastal features related to the geology. How is this site managed? Why is it such a magnet for visitors? What are the conflicts of interest? Looking from Dungy Head to Durdle Door An ideal opportunity to study the evolution of a classic longitudinal coastline. Lulworth from the sea: • Lulworth Cove and the surrounding area has excellent geology and coastal features which can be studied from land and sea. Here we see Durdle Door from the sea. Mupe Bay: • East of Lulworth, within the army firing range, is Mupe Bay which shows an excellent relationship between geological structure and coastal landforms. This is a protected area of coastline, how is the presence of the army influencing change? Worbarrow Bay: • Worbarrow Bay, also within the firing range demonstrates spectacular geology along the coastline. Worbarrow: • Worbarrow Bay shows continuous exposure of rocks from the Portland Beds of Upper Jurassic age to the Chalk of Upper Cretaceous age. This represents a change from marine to continental and back to marine conditions. Worbarrow Bay continued: • Worbarrow Bay shows excellent evidence of landslides and other mass-movement events helping to expose fresh rocks and fossils. Gad Cliff: • This very distinctive cliff east of Worbarrow again shows the relationship between geology and cliff form exceptionally well. How does rock strength and dip of the strata influence cliff characteristics? • Gad Cliff can also look good in the evening light showing the picturesque nature of the Dorset Coast. Opportunities for art and other aesthetic studies. Kimmeridge: • Kimmeridge has its distinctive ledges exposed because of harder bands of limestone within the shale and these are more resistant to weathering and erosion. Exceptional fossils can also be found. Another example of the development of coastal landforms along the WHC. Kimmeridge continued: outstanding fossils, a ammonite zone fossil. Specimen from the Steve Etches’ fossil collection, Kimmeridge Another fossil from Kimmeridge: a fossil ray Specimen from the Steve Etches’ fossil collection, Kimmeridge No shortage of fish in the Jurassic Seas! You wouldn’t want to meet this one on a dark night! Specimen from the Steve Etches’ fossil collection, Kimmeridge Houns-tout: • Houns-tout, near Chapman’s Pool, provides an ideal location to view the coast and its outstanding geology. On a clear day like this, New Year’s Eve 2001 you can see as far as Weymouth. Again showing evidence of opportunities for shoulder month tourism. Houns-tout continued: • Houns-tout itself shows good geology with Kimmeridge Clay capped by Portland Stone. Landslips occur because the clay slips and takes the overlying rock with it. Another site demonstrating the relationship between geology and coastal features as well as mass movement processes. The undercliffs also have outstanding wildlife. Chapman’s Pool: • The view from Emmett’s Hill towards Kimmeridge is very impressive displaying the geology of Purbeck, Portland Stone in the foreground and Kimmeridge Clay beyond. St Aldhelm’s Head • A dominant feature along the Jurassic Coast is St Aldhelm’s Head, which can easily be seen from Weymouth on a clear day. Again the Portland Stone makes it stand out. The chapel adds to this special place. Evidence of the use of local stone, which over the years mellows and recedes into the landscape. Worth Matravers: • Nearby Worth Matravers also has buildings made from local stone, many of which are extremely attractive and even quirky! Resources in the landscape and how they can be exploited to good effect. Tilly Whim Caves • Tilly Whim Caves, a well known place on the Purbeck Coast used to supply stone which was exported by sea. Much limestone still occurs along the coast but it is used by nesting birds and climbers. Opportunities to study industrial archaeology from land and sea as well as conflicts in land use between tourism and environment. Boat trips from Swanage can also provide study opportunities. Evidence for potential diversification of tourism, but what are the issues? The geology influences soils and vegetation • The limestone soils of Purbeck attract a wide range of flowering plants which in turn attract insects and butterflies, Flora on the Portland Limestone near Winspit, an ideal opportunity to study calcicole plants. Durlston Bay • Durlston Bay is another location where much mass-movement has exposed interesting geology but it has also put property at risk on the southern outskirts of Swanage. Evidence of the instability of the coastline and the need for constant monitoring of processes and their impact – landslip related to the wet winter of 2000-2001 and lack of human intervention. Durlston Bay continued • Despite the hazards the visitor has attractive views to appreciate looking south towards Durlston Head, east towards the Isle of Wight and north towards Ballard Down and the Old Harry Rocks. Durlston and Swanage Bays Classic transverse coastline relating to the differential erosion of rocks of varying strength. The story continues as we say goodbye with the sun setting on the Jurassic Coast!