Photographs Document the Evolution at Lucy Vincent Beach Over Years
In 2000 the cliffs were still intact with beach between the cliffsand the sea.
In 2000 the cliffs were still intact with beach between the cliffsand the sea.
Clay cliffs also made up of a mixture of sand and gravel.
Clay cliffs also made up of a mixture of sand and gravel.
By 2006, erosion was eating away at the base of the cliffs.
By 2006, erosion was eating away at the base of the cliffs.
Coastal erosion split the beach, temporarily cutting off a portion frequented by nude bathers in 2008.
Coastal erosion split the beach, temporarily cutting off a portion frequented by nude bathers in 2008.
Swirling waves at the point of a fossil-encrusted cliff put swimmers at risk.
Swirling waves at the point of a fossil-encrusted cliff put swimmers at risk.
With sea level rise, ocean waves lap at the base of the cliffs where beach once was.
With sea level rise, ocean waves lap at the base of the cliffs where beach once was.
Hurrican Irene brought changes to the shoreline in 2011.
Hurrican Irene brought changes to the shoreline in 2011.
By 2012, the face of the cliff had a different appearance.
By 2012, the face of the cliff had a different appearance.
Coastal storms brought more changes the same year.
Coastal storms brought more changes the same year.
Signs discourage walkers from treading on the top of the cliffs.
Signs discourage walkers from treading on the top of the cliffs.
Since 1915 the beach has eroded more than 400 feet.
Since 1915 the beach has eroded more than 400 feet.
By 2013, the familiar spire takes shape.
By 2013, the familiar spire takes shape.
Clay would topple from cliffs after rain.
Clay would topple from cliffs after rain.
Beautiful any time of year. Here, blanketed in snow.
Beautiful any time of year. Here, blanketed in snow.
Ancient clays, fossils, and granite boulders just feet from one another, embedded in one another.
Ancient clays, fossils, and granite boulders just feet from one another, embedded in one another.
By 2014, a pillar had been formed.
By 2014, a pillar had been formed.
The glaciers left behind a jumble of materials, which the sea continues to expose.
The glaciers left behind a jumble of materials, which the sea continues to expose.
Aerial view of the south shore in 2015.
Aerial view of the south shore in 2015.
Earlier this year, and the familiar spire resembling a man's profile.
Earlier this year, and the familiar spire resembling a man's profile.
Just weeks ago people were socially distant walking the beloved beach.
Just weeks ago people were socially distant walking the beloved beach.
People visited to pay their respects after the collapse.
People visited to pay their respects after the collapse.
Geological time mostly runs slowly, in measures of hundreds of thousands, if not millions or billions of years. But time was up for the last of the sand and gravel formations at Lucy Vincent Beach this weekend. Here is a photographic essay of the last 20 years of the beloved beach.