13 August 2016

Freshwater: a nice landslide video from the Isle of Wight

Posted by Dave Petley

Freshwater, Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight Radio has a nice video, taken by a walker on the beach at Freshwater, of a cliff collapse event.  The video was uploaded onto Facebook by Phil Baldwin, who was collecting fossils on the cliff face.  ITV News has a nice report that provides more detail about what happened.

Phil Baldwin has also uploaded some images of the aftermath of the landslide onto his Facebook account:

Freshwater landslide

The Freshwater landslide via Phil Baldwin and Facebook

.

Freshwater landslide

The Freshwater landslide via Phil Baldwin and Facebook

 

.

This area of coastline, on the southwest side of the Isle of Wight, is actively eroding.  The road at the top of the cliff, known as the Military Road, has suffered numerous problems associated with landslides caused by coastal retreat. It is interesting to note though that this landslide happened in the summer when the weather appears to have been fine.  Given the popularity of this area with tourists and fossil hunters, the warnings by the local council to treat the cliffs with respect are well-made.