Cliff collapse at Stevns Klint, south-east Denmark

The scenic coastal cliff of Stevns Klint is a classical study locality that stretches for 15 km along the east coast of Sjælland and it holds arguably the best exposed Cretaceous−Tertiary boundary in the world (Fig. 1; Damholt & Surlyk 2012). The famous boundary separates the soft Cretaceous cha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inGEUS Bulletin Vol. 26; pp. 33 - 36
Main Authors Schack Pedersen, Stig A., Damholt, Tove
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Copenhagen De Nationale Geologiske Undersoegelser for Danmark og Groenland / Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland 01.01.2012
Subjects
Cliffs
Cretaceous
Limestone
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Summary:The scenic coastal cliff of Stevns Klint is a classical study locality that stretches for 15 km along the east coast of Sjælland and it holds arguably the best exposed Cretaceous−Tertiary boundary in the world (Fig. 1; Damholt & Surlyk 2012). The famous boundary separates the soft Cretaceous chalk from the harder overlying Tertiary bryozoan limestone (Fig. 2), and the difference between the two rock types controls the character of the frequent cliff falls. The relatively soft chalk at the base is eroded by storm waves and is subject to general debris shedding. The overlying bryozoan limestone, with its hardgrounds and flint layers, is more resistant to erosion and is strong enough to form overhanging projections of the coastal cliff that result in large and small recurring collapses.
ISSN:1904-4666
1604-8156
2597-2154
DOI:10.34194/geusb.v26.4745