Coastal landsliding in Cornwall, UK: mechanisms, modelling and implications

Abstract

Cornwall forms the westernmost part of the South West peninsula and has an Atlantic coastline in excess of 500 km. The coastal zone provides significant leisure and recreational activities for visitors to the region. Effective management of this coastal zone, to minimise risk to property and the general public, requires detailed knowledge of cliff instability mechanisms and coastal erosion rates. The paper summarises recent geotechnical investigations into factors controlling coastal instability in Cornwall.