Home / Environment / Stranger Things' on UK Shore: Hundreds of Clams Wash Up
Stranger Things' on UK Shore: Hundreds of Clams Wash Up
12 Feb
Summary
- Hundreds of otter shell clams unexpectedly appeared on Studland Bay's sandy shore.
- Recent storms and strong easterly winds scoured the seabed, dislodging the clams.
- Marine experts estimate the clams to be approximately seven years old.
Studland Bay in Dorset witnessed an extraordinary event recently when hundreds of otter shell clams unexpectedly appeared on its beaches. This peculiar spectacle, drawing comparisons to scenes from the popular Netflix series 'Stranger Things,' was caused by severe weather conditions.
Recent powerful storms, coupled with strong easterly winds, whipped up substantial waves. These conditions were strong enough to scour the seabed, dislodging the clams from their usual habitat deep beneath the water's surface. This phenomenon has not been observed in such large numbers since 2018.
Marine experts from the Dorset Wildlife Trust examined the washed-up clams. They estimated the creatures to be around seven years old, indicating the population had recovered since the previous significant event in 2018. Sadly, many of the clams were already dead upon washing ashore, and experts advised that returning them to the sea would likely not ensure their survival.
