| The cliffed coastline of Sheppey is being actively eroded by a combination of rotational slipping, mud flows, debris slides and cliff undercutting. Erosion of the in-situ cliffs takes place largely by cliff undercutting. This is caused by wave action and is followed by collapse of the cliff along vertical joints opened by shrinkage of the clay during dry weather. | ||
 |
 | |
| This
steep section of in situ cliff below the old coastguard lookout was undercut by
waves. This caused the cliff above to collapse causing one of the biggest falls
since 1970 |
The cracks in the grass near the old coastguard lookout were caused by the wave undercutting the cliff below. Shortly afterwards a massive cliff fall took place. The lookout was dismantled and replaced. | |
| THE
EFFECTS OF EROSION | ||
 | ||
Warden
road terminates abruptly here | ||
 |
 | |
| This cottage photographed in 1987 at the edge of the cliff has now been lost in a further cliff fall. To anyone living in a coastal area with clay cliffs, these sights are fairly common. | The grassy platform at the front of the picture was originally level with the cottage on the edge of the cliff. | |
 |
 |