Coastal Hard and Soft Engineering

Question 1

SEA WALL

Answer 1

Hard engineering: reduces coastal erosion because it is made of steel. This means the water will erode it first. Excellent defence against high waves. Long life span of 50 to 75 years.

Question 2

GABIONS

Answer 2

Hard engineering: reduces coastal erosion but is a cheaper option than the sea wall. Very efficient and reduces wave energy. Has a small lifespan of 8 to 10 years and is usually considered unattractive.

Question 3

GROYNES

Answer 3

Hard engineering: traps sand and shingle that’s transported via longshore drift absorbs wave energy, reducing cliff erosion. Relatively cheap however nearby beaches are starved of material. Life span of 20-25 years

Question 4

RIP RAP

Answer 4

Hard engineering: large boulders at the base of cliffs and absorbs the energy from waves, reducing cliff erosion. Highly efficient. Access to beach become difficult. Over time they erode and become sediment. Has a life expectancy of 10-15 years

Question 5

BEACH REBUILDING

Answer 5

Soft engineering: beaches are made higher and wider by importing sand and shingle from other areas to slow erosion and flooding along the coast. Cheap and a natural look. However it increases erosion in other areas and frequently needs updating. Short life span of 12 months

Question 6

REVETMENT

Answer 6

Hard engineering: wooden structure that allows seawater and sediment through to create a beach behind behind. This reinforces the wooden structure, absorbing wave energy. Cheap and less intrusive than a sea wall. Short life span of 5-30 years depending on how fast the wood rots

Question 7

SAND DUNE STABILISATION

Answer 7

Sand dune are used as a natural defence against both coastal flooding and coastal erosion. The dunes are left undisturbed, retaining its natural look. Management is time consuming and the cost is expensive

Question 8

OFFSHORE BREAKWATER

Answer 8

Used against coastal erosion. Rocks are piled up of concrete, running parallel to the coast, breaking the force of the waves and reducing the wave energy. Can be quite expensive

Question 9

MANAGED RETREAT

Answer 9

Allowing the sea to breach the existing defences and flood the land behind, therefore

Question 10

DO NOTHING

Answer 10

When the government stops funding an area and property become worthless so owners have to pay for their houses to be abolished and this means the course of nature won’t be interrupted