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Coastal erosion
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Coastal erosion

Storm beach Storm beachZoomMore and more of the Shetland coastline is gradually being lost or changed as the sea continues to encroach on the land.  Global sea levels are currently rising at the rate of approximately 3 mm per year and the waters continue to carve out spectacular cliff formations such as caves, stacks, arches and geos.

Ferocious storms can have particularly dramatic effects.  A single storm can significantly alter a stretch of coastline while in places the force of the sea can tear rocks from the bedrock and hurl them onto dramatic storm beaches many metres inland.