Photo 2 (Return)

The "Undercliff" at St Lawrence, 1990s. Extending 9km from St Catherine's Point (distance) to Bonchurch, it comprises a zone up to 700m in width of inactive and partially active ancient landslides. Blocks that have become detached from the Chalk and Greensand backscar (its pale free face is evident amongst woodland at the upper right margin of the undercliff) dominate its morphology and have settled at various distances downslope, where their upper surfaces form terraces separated by steep rear and front faces. Marine erosion has removed the ancient landslide toes, now represented by residual boulder aprons, generating renewed instability in some parts e.g. between Niton and St Lawrence. (Photo: Isle of Wight Centre for the Coastal Environment)