The discussion centers around a recent cliff failure event on the North Coast of Cornwall, specifically near Hayle. Participants are sharing observations, geological insights, and safety considerations related to cliff walking and the geological conditions that may have contributed to the failure.
Participants express a general agreement on the need for caution around cliffs, but there are varying perspectives on the geological specifics and implications of the cliff failure. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the precise geological factors and future risks associated with the site.
Participants reference various geological sources and reports, indicating a complex geological context that may influence the stability of the cliffs. Specific assumptions about the geology and weather conditions are implied but not fully detailed.
The collapse was recorded by geologist Richard Hocking - a soils and materials engineer for Cornwall Council.
More cracks have appeared along the cliff top, prompting fears of another collapse.
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The collapse of the cliff is thought to have been caused by a deep-seated inclined fault plane on which the rock mass slid.
http://www.cornwallinfocus.co.uk/geography/geology.phpCornwall can really be imagined as a finger of 400 million year old Devonian slates along with Carboniferous sandstones and shales pointing across the Atlantic Ocean towards the USA, with a backbone of granite. . . . .