|58. RAISED SEA BEACH AT BRIGHTON. 1 16 



3. (c), The undisturbed chalk, which forms a sloping cliff, inland, 

 behind the elephant bed (a) and shingle (b), passes under the 

 latter, and appears as a terrace at the foot of the present 

 cliffs (d).* 



These appearances demonstrate the following sequence 

 of changes in the relative level of the land and sea on the 

 Sussex shores : — 



First. The chalk terrace on which the ancient shingle 

 rests, was on a level with the sea for a long period ; and 

 the beach was formed, like the modern shingle, by the 

 action of the waves on the then existing chalk cliffs. The 

 rolled condition of the materials, and the borings of the 

 lithodomi, prove a change of level as decidedly as do the 

 bands of perforations in the columns of the temple of 

 Jupiter at Puzzuoli. 



Secondly. The whole line of coast, with the shingle (b), 

 was submerged to such a depth, as to admit of the depo- 

 sition of the uppermost strata (a). 



Lastly. The cliffs were raised to their present elevation, 

 and at this period the formation of the existing sea beach 

 commenced. 



Here, then, we have unquestionable evidence that the 

 Sussex shores have been subjected to changes similar to 

 those produced by earthquakes on the Chilian coast. 



A phenomenon of a like nature, but of a far more ancient 

 period, is observable at Castle Hill, near Newhaven, about 

 eight miles east of Brighton ; there, immediately beneath 

 the turf, is a regular sea beach with oyster-shells, many 

 feet in thickness, forming the summit of the chalk cliffs, 

 160 feet above the level of the sea. 



Near Bromley in Kent, and Reading in Berkshire, simi- 

 lar accumulations of pebbles and oyster-shells are to be 

 found. Elevated beds of shingle, of comparatively recent 



* See Geology of the South-East of England, p. 30; Fossils of the 

 South Downs, p. 277 ; Medals of Creation, vol. ii. p. 913. 



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