Benacre

Benacre Broad National Nature Reserve adjacent to the coast in north Suffolk was previously a brackish water lake separated from the North Sea by a narrow barrier of sand and shingle. Now the barrier has been once again breached by the sea, it is a salt-water lake. This is in an area of active coastal erosion (up to 7 metres per year) and currently the highest rate of retreat in the UK.

Benacre Broad National Nature Reserve adjacent to the coast in north Suffolk was previously a brackish water lake separated from the North Sea by a narrow barrier of sand and shingle. Now the barrier has been once again breached by the sea, it is a salt-water lake. This is in an area of active coastal erosion (up to 7 metres per year) and currently the highest rate of retreat in the UK.

Benacre Broad National Nature Reserve adjacent to the coast in north Suffolk was previously a brackish water lake separated from the North Sea by a narrow barrier of sand and shingle. Now the barrier has been once again breached by the sea, it is a salt-water lake. This is in an area of active coastal erosion (up to 7 metres per year) and currently the highest rate of retreat in the UK.

Benacre cliffs in north Suffolk is an area of active coastal erosion (up to 7 metres per year) and currently the highest rate of retreat in the UK. At this point, just north of the now-breached Benacre Broad, the beach is littered with the remains of trees as a result of the undercutting and erosion of the cliffs and land on which they were growing. I think the grainy black and white treatment suits the subject well...

Benacre cliffs in north Suffolk is an area of active coastal erosion (up to 7 metres per year) and currently the highest rate of retreat in the UK. At this point, just north of the now-breached Benacre Broad, the beach is littered with the remains of trees as a result of the undercutting and erosion of the cliffs and land on which they were growing.

Close-up view of cross-bedded sands and gravels of the Norwich Crag (early Pleistocene) at Benacre Cliffs, just north of Covehithe in Suffolk. Height of section: approx. 1.3 metres. Full view of cliff here: www.ipernity.com/doc/earthwatcher/39078910

Cross-bedded sands and gravels of the Norwich Crag (early Pleistocene) at Benacre Cliffs, just north of Covehithe in Suffolk. This stretch of coast line is currently experiencing the most active coastal erosion in the UK, with average loss rates of around 7 metres per year. The cliffs are only recently formed and are growing in height. The land behind the cliff line is a gentle hill, therefore as the sea eats into the cliff line causing it to retreat westwards into the hillside, so the top of the cliff gets higher.

Benacre Cliffs, just north of Covehithe in Suffolk, are comprised of sands and gravels of the Westleton Formation, with beds of bioturbated clay; part of the Norwich Crag, early Pleistocene in age. This stretch of coast line is currently experiencing the most active coastal erosion in the UK, with average loss rates of around 7 metres per year. The cliffs are only recently formed and are growing in height. The land behind the cliff line is a gentle hill, therefore as the sea eats into the cliff line causing it to retreat westwards into the hillside, so the top of the cliff gets higher.

Benacre Cliffs, just north of Covehithe in Suffolk, are comprised of cross-bedded sands and gravels of the Westleton Formation, with beds of bioturbated clay; part of the Norwich Crag, early Pleistocene in age. Here, a fossil tree branch can be seen in the clay. 20p coin for a scale.