The previous incarnation of this blog, Altered Marshes was inspired by an area of marshland in Suffolk, Hazelwood Marshes Nature Reserve. The reserve was a freshwater inland marsh, but this dramatically altered when estuary walls acting as a border were breached by a storm surge in December 2013. Hazelwood is now an intertidal reserve, covered twice a day by the tides which travel up the Alde & Ore Estuary from the North Sea.
Hazelwood’s evolution continues to be focus for this blog, however, studies of erosion at Hazelwood and elsewhere on the Alde & Ore Estuary and the coast of Suffolk and Norfolk, have led to a wider consideration of change on this dynamic coastline.
Particularly regarding Beach Morphology (shape) including the steepening and lowering of beach profile, cliff retreat and the changing nature of erosion. In addition to the patterns of the tides and storm surges.
Therefore the blog with the amended name of alteredcoast will explore the concept of erosion as a system of constant change. As beaches and marshes undergo a continual process of adaption, appearing different from how they appeared a day or a month before. Their structure, shape or behaviour in relation to tides and surges alters in some way.
The concept of change on this constantly evolving coastline will consider how modifications happen and the factors that influence transformations, big and small. Alterations on the coast will also look at how communities relate to and feel affected by the adjustments on the coast.
The challenges on the coast and its shifting features, will be discussed alongside the ever restless North Sea. The constant accompaniment to the stories of alteredcoast.
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alteredcoast 