4383 x 2914 px | 37,1 x 24,7 cm | 14,6 x 9,7 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
12 agosto 2016
Ubicazione:
Thornwick Bay, Flamborough
Altre informazioni:
Flamborough Head is a promontory 8 miles long on the Yorkshire coast, running between the Filey and Bridlington bays of the North Sea. It is a chalk headland, with sheer white cliffs. The cliffs at Flamborough Head are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for both geological and biological significance. First designated in 1952, the SSSI area extends from Sewerby near Bridlington, round the headland to Reighton Sands. There are estimated to be around 200, 000 nesting seabirds, including one of only two mainland gannetries. The headland is the only chalk sea cliff in the north. The coastline within the SSSI has strata from the upper Jurassic through to the Cretaceous period, and the headland exhibits a complete sequence of Chalk Group North Sea Basin strata, dated from 100 to 70 million years ago. The various chalk deposits are known as the Ferriby, Welton, Burnham and Flamborough Chalk. The dramatic white cliffs contrast with the low coast of Holderness to the south, where the chalk is deeply buried and the glacial boulder clay that erodes very readily. The chalk cliffs have a larger number and a wider range of cave habitats than at any other chalk site in Britain, the largest of which are known to extend for more than 50 metres from their entrance on the coast. There are also stacks, natural arches and blowholes. The site is identified as being of international importance in the Geological Conservation Review.
