Gad Cliff

The extreme angular layers of rock visibly demonstrate the complex sedimentary folding that affected this area.

The foldings, known as the Purbeck Monocline, took place some 30 million years ago and were caused by the tectonic pressures as the African and European continents collided.

During this period, the sediments were twisted horizontally, this is why the younger Cretaceous formations are found at the rear of Worbarrow Bay.

At the top of the cliffs it is clearly visible that the rocks have been folded into a huge S shaped kink as the result of earth movements.

Due to the fact that harder Limestones and Sandstones are underlain by an unstable Clay, the cliff face is prone to landslides.