Holderness coast case study Flashcards
Where is Holderness Coast located at?
North East of England, in the county of Yorkshire, and next to the North Sea
How is the climate at Holderness Coast like?
The climate there is generally one of mild summers and cool winters
Describe how the Holderness Coast is
The coast itself stretches from Flamborough Head in the north, down to Spurn Point, a spit, in the south. Longshore drift transports sands and clays from the north to the south. This is how the spit at Spurn Point is formed.
What material is the Holderness Coast made of?
Soft bouldering clay that is prone to coastal erosion.
What is the coastal management like in the Holderness Coast?
Bridlington and Withernsea - protected by a mixture of sea walls to protect the town, rock armour, to protect the sea wall, and groynes
Mappleton and isolated farms - no protection at all, and the cliffs and land around erode very quickly, threatening homes and livelihoods.
Easington on the spit at Spurn - rock armour protects the gas terminal. About 30% of the UK’s gas comes ashore from North Sea drilling stations here.
Who are the stakeholders?
Business owners, farmers, conservationist, home owners
Why is the government selective on where to protect?
Cost of defending is high. Best defended at places with high economic utility. If the natural movement of sand grains on the coast due to longshore drift were to stop, then Spurn Point would disappear, the port of Hull on the river Humber would be exposed to winter storms, and the salt marshes which are important international sites for migrating birds would disappear.
