Holderness Coast

Question 1

• physical factors

1) geology

Answer 1

• GEOLOGY: the cliffs are made of weak boulder clay which is easily eroded by the sea.
• the cliffs slump (mass movement) when wet which causes them to collapse.

Question 2

• physical factors

2) powerful waves

Answer 2

• POWERFUL WAVES: Holderness faces the prevailing wind direction which brings waves from the north east.
• these high energy waves erode the coastline.

Question 3

• physical factors

3) marine erosion processes

Answer 3

• MARINE EROSION PROCESSES: at high tide crashing waves undercut the cliff foot by corrasion.
• the cliff face is then unsupported and collapses.

Question 4

• physical factors

4) narrow beaches

Answer 4

• NARROW BEACHES: beaches slow waves down reducing their erosive power.
• but the beaches are narrow and give less protection.

Question 5

-human factors

Answer 5

• COASTAL DEFENCES: have been built along this stretch of coastline to reduce the rate of erosion.
• hard engineering methods, such as rip rap and rock groynes protect the cliff and stop sediment from being moved further along the coast, which has increased the erosion rate south of Mappleton.