Case study: coastal processes on the Holderness coast

Question 1

How long is the coastline?

Answer 1

over 50km

Question 2

Where does the Holderness coastline start and end?

Answer 2

Starts at Flamborough and ends at spurn head.

Question 3

How many villages has historical records shown to have fallen into the sea?

Answer 3

29

Question 4

How long is Spurn head spit?

Answer 4

6km

Question 5

What are the economic impact of erosion?

Answer 5

. The gas terminal in Easington, which supplies 25% of Britians gas is at risk
. predicted that 200 homes will fall into the sea by 2100
.8000m^2 of farmland is lost each year

Question 6

What are the social impacts of erosion?

Answer 6

. Around 30 villages have been lost since Roman times
. Properties under threat of erosion lose their value leaving owners with negative equity.

Question 7

What are the environmental impacts of erosion?

Answer 7

. Wildlife behind Spurn point is losing diversity as the environment cannot support many species due to the lack of sediment.

Question 8

How are coastal decisions made?

Answer 8

. Cost- benefit analysis
. Environmental impact decisions
. Risk encasement
. Shoreline management plans.

Question 9

What is the average annual rate of erosion?

Answer 9

2 metres per year

Question 10

What is the main reason for the Holderness coast being one of Europe’s fastest eroding coastline?

Answer 10

Because the bedrock is made up of till (soft boulder clay) which was deposited by glaciers around 12,000 years ago

Question 11

What is Flamborough Head?

Answer 11

arch, stack and wave cut platform

Question 12

What is Spurn head?

Answer 12

. 6km spit
. Sediment deposited by the winds, waves and river estuary have created a large but fragile recurved spit
. Growing at an average of a 10cm each year.