Blog
Powerful storms batter coast
6th February 2014
The powerful storms that hit the UK this week show us how vulnerable our coastline is to the powerful forces of the sea.Destructive waves hammered the coast of Devon and Cornwall. This force caused the spectacular collapse of the sea wall as well as the undercutting of the railway line and nearby road as shown in the video below. This powerful force of water is known as Hydraulic action. The collapsed material may now smash against the cliff face wearing it down through a process known as Abrasion. Pic: Collapsed sea wall and exposed railway
Map Devon Cornwall
The following links clearly illustrate the impact of the storms.
BBC stormy weather patterns explained
ITV Dawlish railway video and images
Finally some key Geo literacy terms
Erosion - material that is removed from the earths surface and transported away.
Hydraulic action - the sheer force of moving water which erodes and weakens the coastline.
Abrasion - rocks and sediment transported within the body of water hitting against the coastline and wearing it down in a filing or sandblasting fashion.
Destructive waves - High energy, high frequency waves occuring mainly in storm conditions. The backwash (wave going out) is stronger than the swash (wave going in) and thus removes material.