The Dorset Coast
 The Dorset Coast is part of an area of coastline known as
the Jurassic Coast and is one of the most attractive and
best known stretches of coast in the UK.
 In 2001 it was designated a World Heritage Site in
recognition of the variety of spectacular geological and
geomorphological features. World Heritage Status
means it is considered as important as famous sites such
as the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef
Why is the Jurassic Coast so
special?
 The Jurassic coast is one of the most significant earth
science sites in the world. In just 95 miles of coastline are
a near-continuous sequence of rocks, from the Triassic,
Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
 The coast also boasts many classic coastal features such
as Lulworth Cove, Chesil Beach and yields superbly
preserved fossil remains.
Location
The Dorset Coast
is located on the
South Coast of
England. It
stretches from
Lyme Regis in the
west to
Bournemouth in
the east.
The Dorset Coast can be divided
into two distinct areas:
 Coastline of erosion from Lulworth Cove to
Swanage Bay.
 Coastline of deposition - Chesil Beach west of
Portland Bill
Coastline of Erosion – Lulworth
Cove to Swanage Bay
 The area around Lulworth Cove to Swanage Bay is an area
of coastal erosion. The geology of the area is responsible
for creating the spectacular coastal land forms such as
Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door (sea arch), Stair Hole and Old
Harry (sea stack).
 From Lulworth Cove to Durlston head the coastline is
concordant (alternating bands of hard and soft rock lie
parallel to the coast).
 Moving northwards from Durlston Head to Studland Bay
the coastline is discordant (alternating bands of hard and
soft rock meet the coast at right angles).
Concordant Coast
Discordant Coast
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1. Chesil Beach
Chesil beach stretches for
18km and is made of
pebbles and shingle.
It is Britain’s longest
tombolo. A tombolo is a spit
that connects to an island –
in this case, the Isle of
Portland.
2. Durdle Door
Durdle Door is an
excellent example
of a sea arch. The
sea has broken
through the outer
wall of Porland
Stone and rapidly
eroded the Purbeck
Bed behind.
3. Lulworth Cove
Lulworth Cove is a small
circular bay with a narrow
seaward opening. It is
thought that the weak
point that produced the
opening was due to a
river. Marine erosion
exploited the line of
weakness produced by
the river and eroded the
weaker rocks behind the
Portland Stone until the
more resistant chalk cliffs
were reached.
4. Studland Bay
Studland Bay was voted the
fourth top beach in the UK
by Which Magazine.
Glorious sandy beaches
stretch for three miles and
includes a designated
naturist (nudist) area!
5. Studland Heath
The heathland behind
Studland Beach is a haven
for many rare birds and
wildlife.
Rare heathland plants grow
here and it is home to all six
British reptiles – 3 species of
lizard and 3 species of snake.
6. Old Harry Rocks
Old Harry Rocks are
chalk sea stacks
that have been
eroded by the
power of the sea.