COASTAL FLOODING - Holderness

Question 1

Background detail on the Holderness coast

Answer 1

• 61km stretch of coast.
• Runs from Spurn Head to Flamborough Head.
• Erodes 2m/year - fastest eroding in Europe.

Question 2

Why is the Holderness eroding so quickly?

Answer 2

• Made of weak rock - boulder clay is a result of glacial deposit after the last Ice Age 18,000 years ago. Erodes especially fast when saturated.
• Strong prevailing winds cause longshore drift to move material south.

Question 3

Why is erosion a problem?

Answer 3

• Since Roman times, eroded by 4km. 30 villages lost into the sea.
• Destroys farmland.
• Areas like Hornsea are honeypot sites. Hornsea has a population of 8,500.
• Mappleton is another important tourist area. Its access road is only 50m from the coast at its closest point. Mappleton has approximately 50 properties.
• Spurn Head is important environmentally. It has been owned since 1960 by the Yorkshire Wildlife trust and is famed for its birdwatching.

Question 4

What measures have been put in place to slow erosion?

Answer 4

• 1991 coastal erosion scheme designated £2 million.
• Rock armour at base of cliff.
• Rip rap imported from Norway for defences.
• Two rock groynes. These would help to at least slow longshore drft, meaning that the beach would prevent further erosion of the cliff base.

Question 5

Why was the scheme unsuccessful?

Answer 5

• Increased rate of erosion due south. This is because the two groynes have deprived southern beaches of material, exposing the cliff to the sea. Even at neap tides, the sea now reaches the cliffs. In August 2015, a crack appeared in the cliff to the south of the defences - which residents claim is due to the effects of the groynes.
• Since Roman times, eroded by 4km. 30 villages lost into the sea. Causes conflict between towns and villages.