COASTAL CLIFF INSTABILITY, A CASE STUDY FROM THE UK

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Published: Jul 27, 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/bgsg.11799
Keywords:
Coast slope stability chalk erosion
C. Saroglou
Department of Geotechnics, School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens
D. Alexandrou
AECOM
Abstract

The present paper presents the conceptual ground model for coastal cliff retreat and instability. Cliff instability has been intensified due to climate change in the last years, especially by sea level change and high windstorms. A case study ofcliff instability in the SW coast in the UK is presented. The stability of the cliffs is primarily controlled by the presence of tensile cracks parallel to the cliff face and intersecting fractures as well as undercutting of cliff base due to wave action. The cliff instability mechanisms were identified for different locations along the shoreline and the cliffs were classified according to the cliff behaviour unit approach.

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  • Engineering Geology, Hydrogeology, Urban Geology
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