Case Study - The Jurassic Coast Flashcards
What makes the Dorset Coast famous?
Its beauty and its location as part of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Where does the Jurassic Coast extend?
From Exmouth in East Devon to Old Harry Rocks in Purbeck
Why was the Jurassic Coast awarded UNESCO World Heritage status?
For being a place of “outstanding universal value” and representing 185 million years of Earth’s history
What geological features are found along the Jurassic Coast?
Cliffs arches, stacks, and stumps
Where is the Dorset Coast located?
In the South of England on the English Channel
What is the length of the Dorset coastline (excluding Poole Harbour)?
142 kilometres (88 miles)
What is a discordant coastline?
A coastline where alternating layers of hard and soft rock run at right angles to the sea, forming bays and headlands
Where on the Dorset Coast can you find a discordant coastline?
Along the east coast of the Isle of Purbeck
What is a concordant coastline?
A coastline where layers of rock run parallel to the sea, resulting in a relatively smooth shape
What notable feature has formed at Lulworth on the southern Dorset Coast
A cove, created where waves have broken through a weakness in the cliffs
What is Durdle Door?
A coastal arch located on the Dorset Coast in the south of England.
What type of rock forms Durdle Door?
Hard limestone standing almost vertically out of the sea.
How are the limestone layers at Durdle Door unusual?
The limestone layers are vertical instead of the usual horizontal orientation.
What geological force altered the rocks at Durdle Door?
Plate tectonics.
What caused the folding of rocks in south Dorset and Purbeck?
Around 25 million years ago, the African tectonic plate collided with the European plate, creating ripples through the Earth’s crust.
