why fairy rock will swallow saltom

Fairy Rock is the natural outcrop of sandstone just north of Saltom Pit.  It has gradually been moving towards the pit head for many years, but why, and can anything be done to stop it?

Fairy Rock sits on a sloping seam of coal that dips down to the south west.  Rain percolates down through vertical cracks in the sandstone until it hits the mudstone/shale floor of the coal seam.  Together, the water, coal and shale make a slippery slide that slopes down towards Saltom.

As the soft rock gets eroded, sandstone blocks and undercut:  they detatch, slide and topple down towards Saltom.  Each time they topple, they open more vertical cracks, allowing more rain water in, and continuing the process.

The process is also thought to be exaggerated by a large fault, which runs from Ravenhill, just south of Fairy Rock.  This weakness in the cliffs, combined with the slippery coal-seam “slide” is causing the whole mass to flow towards the beach.

This diagram from J Brown’s study of the area shows the fault.

The weight of mining spoil tipped onto this area of the coast is also judged to be speeding up the slip.

This is a natural process, caused by the geology of whitehaven’s coast.  To try and stop it would not only be enormously expensive, it would be invasive, intrusive and stand very little chance of success.

The real answer is to cherish, research, value and enjoy Saltom while the buildings remain.  Don’t wait until it’s too late!