The Morsum Cliff, located in the east of the island of Sylt between the Hindenburg Dam and the town of Morsum, is an impressive natural monument and one of the oldest nature reserves in Germany. It stretches over a length of approximately 1.8 kilometers and reaches a height of up to 21 meters.  
From a geological perspective, the Morsum Cliff is of particular importance because it reveals various layers of earth that were displaced from their original position by glacial movements during the Saale Glaciation approximately 120,000 years ago. These layers include: 
• Mica Clay: A gray-black clay formed 9 to 11 million years ago and contains fossils such as snails, mussels, and crabs. 
• Limonite Sandstone: A reddish sandstone formed 4 to 5 million years ago.
• Kaolin sand: A white sand that was transported here from Scandinavia 2 to 3 million years ago and contains fossilized corals, sea lilies, and sponges that are approximately 500 million years old.
These layers were shifted by glacial movements so that today they lie side by side rather than on top of each other, making the cliff a unique geological textbook.
The scenic beauty of the Morsum Cliff is complemented by the adjacent heathland and the Wadden Sea. A well-marked circular trail allows visitors to experience the diversity of flora, sand formations, and birdlife within a walk of about an hour.
The Morsum Cliff is also historically significant. In the 1920s, there were plans to remove parts of the cliff for the construction of the Hindenburg Dam. Thanks to private initiatives, this was prevented, and in 1923, a 43-hectare area was declared a protected area. Today, the Sylt Nature Conservation Association is responsible for protecting the area.
Translated by Google •
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