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| Dorset
and East Devon Coast World Heritage Monitoring |
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| Image Gallery | |
| GCR Site: 632 East Cliff to White Cliff | |
| Interest: Upper Greensand | |
| GCR Block: Aptian - Albian | |
| SSSI: Sidmouth to Beer Coast | |
| Site Boundaries: Grid Reference 320900, 88000 - 322800, 89800 & SY 232892 - SY 235896 | |
| Date of Assessment: 28th August 2003 | |
| Date from last assessment: | |
| Name of surveyor: Chris Pamplin and Richard Edmonds | |
| Statement of Significance: | |
| These cliff sections provide the finest exposures of the Foxmould Sands and Chert beds (Upper Greensand) in south-west England. The site may be used as the type locality for these members and the section is of critical importance as a standard with which to compare and contrast inland exposures. The quality of exposure allows particularly good opportunities to study the sedimentology of Upper Greensand chert and hardground formation. | |
| Physical description: | |
| This GCR lies in two sections: from just east of Branscombe Mouth to just east of Beer Head and from Beer Head to Seaton Hole | |
| Health and Safety: | |
| Seaton
Hole: This is a rough and bouldery beach. The chalk blocks are slippery
when wet as are the green algae covered rocks. Beer Head: The Chalk cliffs are vertical and even overhanging. Cliff falls are a risk. Access is best on a falling tide. Beware of large swell waves. |
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| Access: | |
| Seaton
Hole: From Seaton only. It is not possible to walk to Beer. Beer Head: The best access is along the beach from Branscombe. It is possible to walk around Beer Head to Beer on a low spring. The higher cliffs within the landslide are covered in vegetation and difficult to access |
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| Conservation Objectives, on site: | |
| Maintain exposures and natural erosion rates. | |
| Conservation Objectives, off site: | |
| None | |
| Success indicators: | |
| The strata
are exposed Specimens are accessible. |
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| Fixed Point photography: | |
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From Seaton sea front SY235896
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| From the beach below the Hooken Landslide GR SY220879 | |
| Scientific publications and ongoing research: | |
| Unknown | |
| Natural Change: | |
| Seaton Hole: A large landslide has effected the Seaton Hole | |
| Man made change: | |
| Seaton Hole: A small and unsightly gabion structure has been constructed on the eastern boundary of the GCR (photos attached). | |
| ENSIS unit summary: | |
| Not assessed at this point | |
| Comments: | |
| A robust site but with potential coast defence issues on the eastern boundary | |
| Other comments: | |
| Sensitivity: Low | |
| Recommended survey period: | |
| 3 years | |
| Overall Assessment: | |
| Favourable | |
| Actions: | |
| promote the geological interests within the Lyme Bay and South Devon Shoreline Management Plan | |
| Related GCR Blocks: | |
| 204 Hooken Cliff | |
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Comments
and discussion
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