Home / Environment / Jurassic Coast Crumbles: Massive Landslip Devours Path
Jurassic Coast Crumbles: Massive Landslip Devours Path
14 Feb
Summary
- Thousands of tonnes of rock and mud slid onto Charmouth beach.
- A 30ft wide section of the 450ft tall cliff split away.
- Relentless rain is believed to have caused the 175-million-year-old cliff's movement.
A substantial landslip has occurred along the Jurassic Coast in Charmouth, Dorset, resulting in thousands of tonnes of rock and mud descending onto the beach. This event has led to the closure of a section of the popular South West Coastal Path. A 30-foot wide segment of the 450-foot tall cliff has detached from the mainland, now positioned approximately 20 feet lower than before.
Experts attribute the significant movement in the ancient cliffs, estimated to be 175 million years old, to prolonged periods of heavy rainfall. This is the latest in a series of recent rockfalls along this rapidly eroding coastline, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its unique geological features.
Authorities have cordoned off the affected stretch of the coastal path at Stonebarrow and the beach below to prevent potential accidents. Members of the public, particularly fossil hunters, are urged to keep a safe distance from the cliff base due to the risk of further collapses. Similar incidents have occurred recently at West Bay and near Monmouth Beach in Lyme Regis.
