Introduction

In the UK, most coastlines are being eroded.

The rate of erosion is very slow in areas such as the granite cliffs of Cornwall but is very rapid in areas such as the glacial till of Holderness on the east coast.

Fortunately, the highest energy waves from the Atlantic Ocean usually strike the more resistant igneous and metamorphic rocks of western and northern Britain.

The less resistant sedimentary rocks of southern and eastern Britain receive more low energy waves.

High rates of coastal erosion can result in cliff recession of 10 – 20 metres per year.