At a Glance

England's iconic White Cliffs of Dover are in peril because of reduced sediment supply and thinning beaches.The cliffs are eroding 10 faster than ever, researchers say.

The beautiful and iconic White Cliffs of Dover in England have been eroding 10 times faster in the last 150 years than they did over the previous 7,000 years, researchers say.

According to a new report published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, that the heightened erosion is occurring because of "reduced sediment supply and thinning of beaches in the face of environmental and anthropogenic changes."

The beautiful cliffs that were formed some 90 million years ago are white because of theirchalk composition, which is particularly vulnerable to erosion.

For millennia, wide beaches helped slow down erosion, but over the past 150 years, the beach that protected the White Cliffs of Dover has disappeared.

The Seven Sisters, a series of limestone cliffs overlooking the English Channel in the area of Dover, Kent county, United Kingdom.

(DeAgostini/Getty Images)

According to the study, before the mid 1800s, the cliffs eroded at a rate of up to two inches per year, dating back roughly 7,000 years. About 150 years ago, however, the rate increased to 8 to 12 inches per year.

"Direct observations of cliff retreat rarely extend beyond 150 years, during which humans have significantly modified the coastal system," the study's abstract notes.

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Some of the coastal system modifications noted include sea walls and barriers.

The report warns that rising sea levels and powerful storms that strike the coastline could result in the disappearance of the cliffsunless action is taken to protect England's iconic site.

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Hull Light Ship and yachts reflected in the Kingston upon Hull marina, East Yorkshire. (Visit England/Visit Hull and East Yorkshire)