Huge waves eroding British coast
August 19, 2004
Storm waves over 20m high are getting bigger, more frequent and eroding Britain's Atlantic coast, experts say.
The waves rip huge boulders from cliff faces and sweep them up to 50m inland in exposed areas such as Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles.
This process creates piles of boulders tucked away inland behind cliffs.
The study shows these are not deposited by tsunamis (tidal waves generated by volcanic eruptions or earthquakes) as had been thought, but by storm waves.
Dr James Hansom, a geologist the University of Glasgow, told delegates at the International Geographical Union congress in the Scottish city that the erosion was expected to accelerate because sea levels are rising and the coastline is sinking.
"The distance these large boulders are being moved is spectacular. They are being ripped from cliffs up to 120ft above sea level and thrown about to form boulder beaches," said Dr Hansom.
"The boulder ridges were formed in recent times and there are no records of recent tsunamis.
"Because sea levels are continuing to rise and larger waves are hitting the cliffs, the rate of modification of the coastline and creation of these boulder ridges is increasing."
The BBC website has further information.
Print this page