The rock coast of the British Isles: cliffs

The aim of this chapter is to provide a review of the recent advances and innovations that have added to the understanding of the cliffs in the British Isles. The chapter introduces the key components of coastal cliff systems, what defines and shapes them and how they have been conceptualized in Britain. The review sets the context for academic research into British coastal cliffs and then focuses on the contributions made to monitoring and modelling cliff changes and the processes that drive them. The chapter concludes with a summary of forthcoming avenues of enquiry and opportunities that have the potential to further knowledge of coastal cliff behaviour in the British Isles and beyond.