Tynemouth Headland, North Shields

The geology of Tynemouth area is a mix of strong rocks and formations that are less resilient to constant attack from the sea. Various processes affect the stability of the Pen Bal Crag headland and the coastline of King Edward’s Bay, and a range of landslide types can be observed. Several defences have been constructed and these need maintenance and repair to preserve this rocky headland.

BGS used a LiDAR laser scanner to scan the cliffs and provide valuable assistance in assessing the instability processes that affect these sites.

Geology

The geology at Tynemouth comprises mainly Permian and Carboniferous bedrock.

The Permian bedrock consists of the Raisby Formation dolostone and the Yellow Sands Formation sandstone. In turn, this overlies Carboniferous sandstone followed by a series of relatively weak mudstones, siltstones and sandstones of the Pennine Middle Coal Measures Formation.

Cutting through these bedrock materials is a microgabbro dyke (an intrusion of Igneous rock), probably formed during the Palaeogene. Thick Devensian glacial till deposits overlie these bedrock materials, with the exception of the Permian bedrock headland, which is free of till.

This area forms the southern part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) that stretches from Tynemouth to Seaton Sluice.

Tynemouth Castle headland: Pen Bal Crag and King Edward’s Bay

The geology of Tynemouth has had a profound effect on its history; a strong and resilient igneous microgabbro dyke provided a natural pier jutting out to sea and protecting the northern coastline of the Tyne estuary. Local dolostone and sandstone were sufficiently resistant to form a prominent rocky headland, known as Pen Bal Crag, to the north of the dyke.

This special location led to the foundation of a priory, early in the 7th century. In the subsequent centuries the early Northumbrian kings were buried here. However, a long period of ransacking and rebuilding ensued.

Late in the 13th century, the fortifications of the priory became more substantial and much of the remains can still be observed today.

Slope instability

Various processes affect the stability of the Pen Bal Crag headland and the coastline of King Edward’s Bay. A range of landslide types can be observed. Rockfalls mainly occur along the headland, while in the King Edward’s Bay landsliding is often complex and involves falls, slides and flows.

English Heritage looks after the site and has engaged in several phases of stabilising the cliffs, including maintenance of the concrete arches that were first constructed more than 100 years ago. A large cavity, measuring 4 m, was found behind the concrete arches requiring casting of a large concrete base, anchored into the bedrock.

The wet summer of 2012 resulted in an increased activity of landsliding across the nation and King Edward’s Bay also experienced increased activity during this period.

Landsliding at the bay involves local rock (fragments of dolostones and sandstones), but most of the slide material is dark grey in colour and probably involves fill material sliding over a stable bedrock surface.

The upper slopes, comprising Permian bedrock, have been stabilised using mesh and rock bolts.

Monitoring of unstable slopes

BGS has carried out LiDAR (laser scan surveys) of the headland and the bay. These scans provide valuable assistance in assessing the instability processes that affect these sites. Multiple scans, taken over a period of time, allow comparative analyses that help build up a picture of the coastal changes that are occurring.

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