2,000 tonnes of Jurassic coast cliff falls

June 29, 2017

The Jurassic Coast has been struck by a second cliff fall in just one week after some 2,000 tonnes of rock gave away and fell onto the beach below.

The sweeping Dorset scenery provided the backdrop for the hit ITV series Broadchurch but the beach where parts of the show was filmed was this morning blocked off after thousands of tonnes of rock gave way following heavy rain.

A rescue operation was launched on Monday after a similar cliff fall scattered debris at the beauty spot in West Bay.

Members of the public have been urged to stay away from both the cliff and the beach amid warnings another similar fall could take place.

Dog walkers have been seen perilously close to the foot of the cliff fall, despite warnings another could happen at any time

Part of the stunning coastline has now been closed off after tonnes of rock gave way following heavy rain fall

Despite the imminent danger, members of the public have been seen at the base of the cliff – but are being urged to stay away amid warnings another similar fall could take place

Heavy rain over night triggered the cliff fall which is reported to be around 1500 to 2000 tons. The cliff fall also severed the coastal path

Police have closed East Beach and the cliff path after a massive cliff fall at West Bay in Dorset

This comes after the cliffs at Seaford Head in East Sussex were hit by three dangerous collapses in just two days last week.

Fossil hunters, who were only allowed to dig for ancient bones in rock falls, were also told to stay away.

Phil Sterling, Dorset County Council coast and countryside manager, said: ‘We believe this to be a significant cliff fall of around 1,500 to 2,000 tonnes of rock.

‘Our countryside team is working closely with the police, coastguard and other partners to respond. Following police advice, we have closed the coast path between West Bay and Freshwater.

‘The path link has been severed and we will negotiate with the landowner and others to agree a diversion as soon as we are able to.’

The Coastguard was informed about the cliff fall at 8.20am today and both the cliff path and the beach were covered in debris.

UK Coastguard is advising members of the public to stay away from the area until further notice after a number of cliff collapses in recent weeks

The Coastguard was informed about the cliff fall at 8.20am today and both the cliff path and the beach were covered in debris

The Jurassic Coast has been hit by a second cliff fall in one week after 2,000 tonnes of rock gave away and fell onto the beach

Members of the public have been urged to stay away from both the cliff and the beach amid warnings another similar fall could take place

The Coastguard said: ‘It’s impossible to predict when the next piece might fall or how big it will be’

Thousands of tonnes of rock were sent cascading from the ‘Broadchurch’ cliffs this morning in an enormous cliff fall

The area is reported to be unsafe and the beach from West Bay to Freshwater has been closed until the area can be made safe

Why do cliffs collapse?

Cliffs collapse for a range of reasons.

While the most common reason is weathering, there are other factors to consider, such as water crashing against the cliff face, what the cliff is made of, and the climate of the area.

For example, softer materials, such as clay are more likely to collapse than harder materials like granite.

Bad weather naturally erodes the foundations of a cliff, and can cause it to collapse.

One of the most common examples of weathering is when rain fall affects the composition of the cliff.

As rain falls, it seeps into the permeable gravel and soil at the top of the cliff, adding weight to it.

At the same time, colder winter temperatures can cause the face of this cliff to freeze, as frozen areas weaken as they thaw.

If a cliff is against a body of water, such as a sea or ocean, waves crashing on the cliff can also weaken it over time.

Cliffs can also collapse as the result of rock slides, when whole slabs of rock detach from an inclined face and collapse, or as a result of mud slides, when wet soil and weak rocks fall.

The cliffs at Seaford Head in East Sussex were hit by three unexpected collapses in two days last week.

The first happened on Wednesday afternoon, taking a huge section of the coastline with it.

The next day there was another collapse, before a giant crack tore into an 80ft chalk-face leading to the third cliff fall.

Rescuers found the body of a woman in her 20s who is believed to have fallen from a clifftop around the time of the dramatic rockfall.

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard agency said: ‘At around 8.20am Dorset Police informed UK Coastguard of a large cliff face fall at West Bay East Beach, which has covered the beach and taken away a section of the cliff path.

‘West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team are currently on scene, with Dorset Police, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and the Dorset Local Council.

‘The area is reported to be very unsafe and action is being taken to erect signage warning members of the public to stay away from the area.

‘The beach from West Bay to Freshwater has been closed until the area can be made safe.

‘UK Coastguard is advising members of the public to stay away from the area until further notice.

‘The cliffs along the UK coastline are continually eroding and we’ve seen a number of cliff collapses in recent weeks. It’s impossible to predict when the next piece might fall or how big it will be.

‘It’s very clear that cliffs are very unstable in places and we really can’t stress enough how important it is to keep back from the edge. There is no safe place to be.

‘When standing at the bottom of a cliff, we would always advise people that they shouldn’t stand less than the height of the cliff away.’

The cliffs along the UK coastline are continually eroding and this follows a number of cliff collapses in recent weeks

The Coastguard added: ‘When standing at the bottom of a cliff, we would always advise people that they shouldn’t stand less than the height of the cliff away. That means that if the cliff is 25 metres high, don’t go closer than 25 metres towards it’

The picturesque spot is often used as the backdrop for selfies with tourists seen getting as close to the edge of the cliff as possible

The cliffs at Seaford Head in East Sussex were hit by three unexpected collapses in two days last week

‘That means that if the cliff is 25 metres high, don’t go closer than 25 metres towards it.

‘Don’t be tempted to go and investigate and don’t risk going to the edge to get a dramatic picture.

‘One of our biggest problems is tackling the selfie culture where people take risks to get a dramatic photograph of themselves on a dangerous cliff edge – no selfie or photograph is worth risking your life for.’

The picturesque spot is often used as the backdrop for selfies with tourists seen getting as close to the edge of the cliff as possible.

Bridport Harbour West Bay said on Facebook: ‘Heavy rain over night has triggered yet another cliff fall. Be careful and keep away from the bottom of the cliffs. The beach and coastal path are currently blocked.’

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