Coastal Britain

The Earth's crust is our best witness to the passage of time, better than any living organism. We can understand the past by examining the rocks and the particles they are made of. We can get a clear idea about the future by studying the active erosion forces involved in shaping a landscape. We can also get inspired for building the present, with raw materials that are strong, crumbling, durable or fragile, all created in the depths of Earth.

Some of the most spectacular displays of natural history happen where the erosion acts aggressively. The British coastline is one such place, where hidden layers of rocks are continuously exposed and remodelled by waves, winds or salt water. What's steady today may be weakened off in a matter of days. Nothing is made to withstand forever; sooner or later, everything will be transformed.