Enquiry Question 3

Question 1

What areas would be most affected by sea level rise?

Answer 1

The South West, East and East Midlands would be most affected. In the South West 86,178 properties would be affected, 111,356 in the South East, 81,096 in the East Midlands.

Question 2

Rising Sea levels

Answer 2

There are estimates that sea levels will rise between 30cm and 100cm by the year 2100. In Bangladesh if the sea level rose by 1m up to 15% of the country may be flooded.

Question 3

Flood risks

Answer 3

Twice a day, due to gravity of the moon, high tides cause raised sea levels. Twice a month there are exceptionally high tides called spring tides. If spring tides coincide with large waves the sea rises even more.

Question 4

How does a storm surge occur?

Answer 4

If air pressure falls then a storm surge occurs. The sea level rises by 10mm for every 1 milibar drop in air pressure.

Question 5

How will rising sea levels affect the coast?

Answer 5

Cliffs that are being undercut and collapsing will continue to retreat. The position of the wave cut notch will change and the level of the wave cut platform may change. Landforms such as beaches, spits and bars will be at risk to day to day erosion and submergence.

Question 6

Storm surge of December 2013

Answer 6

High winds and 7m surge
2 people died
1400 homes were flooded
Thousands of residents evacuated in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Lincolnshire
£100 million in damage

Question 7

Sea wall

Answer 7

A structure separating land and water areas. Designed to prevent coastal erosion.
Reflects waves energy out to sea
£5000 per metre

Question 8

Rock armour

Answer 8

Placing large boulders in front of a cliff or sea wall to absorb energy from waves.

Question 9

Groynes

Answer 9

A rigid structure built from on ocean shore that interrupts water flow and limits movement of sediment.
£100 per metre

Question 10

Beach nourishment

Answer 10

The process of adding sand from elsewhere onto an eroding shoreline to create a new beach or widen the existing
£500-£1000 per square metre

Question 11

Slope stabilisation

Answer 11

When vegetation is planted so roots can stabilise soil. Drainage pipes reduce water pressure and prevent saturation
Up to £1 million for full slope stabilisation

Question 12

Sand dune regeneration

Answer 12

Planting marram grass will increase roots in sand.

Question 13

Hold the line

Answer 13

Use sea defences to stop erosion and the coast stays where it is
Expensive

Question 14

Advance the line

Answer 14

Build new defences on the seaward side of original defences

Very expensive

Question 15

Strategic retreat

Answer 15

Gradually let low value areas erode to help high value areas

Question 16

No active intervention

Answer 16

When you do nothing