Holderness Flashcards
How long is the coastline?
61km
How far does the coastline stretch (to and from where)?
From Flamborough Head (headland) to Spurn Head (Spit)
How much land is lost to the sea per year?
1.8 average
What has the rate of erosion at Great Cowden been in recent years?
10m per year
What are the 4 main reasons for rapid erosion?
Easily eroded rock type.
Naturally narrow beaches.
People worsening situation.
Powerful waves.
How has an easily eroding rock type led to rapid erosion?
Cliff made up of soft Boulder clay which easily erodes and likely to slump when wet - cliff collapse.
How have narrow beaches led to rapid erosion?
Beaches slow waves reducing erosive power. Narrow beaches give less protection to coast.
How has people worsening the situation led to rapid erosion?
Groynes built at Mappleton stopped material being transported further down coast which makes beaches narrower and more easily eroded in other areas.
How have powerful waves led to rapid erosion?
Holderness faces prevailing wind bringing waves from north east, from Antarctica. Waves increase in power over long fetch and coast battered by highly erosive waves.
What could be the impact on homes near the cliff?
E.g. Skipsea at risk of collapsing into sea.
Property prices fallen sharply.
How has accessibility to some settlements been affected?
Due to roads near cliff top as risk of collapsing into sea - e.g. Southfield Lane running between Skipsea and Ulrome closed.
What impact has it had on businesses?
At risk from erosion so people lose jobs
What happened to a caravan park (business)?
Seaside caravan at Ulrome losing an average of 10 pitches a year.
What happened to a gas terminal and why is it significant?
Terminal at Easington only 25m from cliff edge. Terminal accounts for 25% of UK gas supply.
How much farmland is lost and what effect has this had?
80,000m squared of farmland lost per year with huge effects on farmers livelihoods
What is the environmental impact of coastal erosion?
SSSIs threatened. E.g. Lagoon at Easington separated from sea by sand and shingle. If narrow bar eroded, lagoon connects to sea and is destroyed.
How much of the coast has been protected by hard engineering?
11.4km
What techniques have been used at Bridlington?
4.7km sea wall and wooden groynes protect coast from erosion and flooding.
What techniques have been used at Hornsea?
Sea wall, wooden groynes and rock armour protect village from erosion and flooding.
What techniques have been used at withernsea?
Groynes create wider beach.
Sea wall and some rock armour in front of wall.
What techniques have been used at Mappleton?
2 Rock groynes built 1991 and cost £2 million.
Built to protect village and coastal road from erosion and flooding.
What techniques have been used at Spurn Head?
Eastern side protected by groynes and rock armour. This also protects Humber Estuary behind Spurn Head.
What is the issue with groynes?
They protect local area but cause narrow beaches down coast which increases erosion there.
E.g. Cowden farm, south of Mappleton, is at risk of falling into sea.
What are forming between protected areas?
Bays. Protected areas becoming headlands which are eroded more heavily. Means maintaining defences in protected areas becoming more expensive.
