Holderness (Coasts) Flashcards
Where is the Holderness coast located, where does it stretch from and to
It is located along the coast of East Yorkshire. It stretches from Flamborough Head to Spurn Head (along the River Humber estuary)
How long is the Holderness coast
61 km
How much of the Holderness coast has been lost in the past 2000 years and how many villages were lost with this land
4 km has been lost alongside 30 villages
What is the current rate of erosion reaching in some areas of Holderness
the erosion rate reaches up to 10 metres per year in places such as Great Cowden
Why is erosion predicted to increase along the Holderness coast
Climate change is leading to sea level rise and the UK is predicted to face more frequent storm event. These will both hasten erosion
What rock makes up the Holderness coast, how does this impact erosion
The coast is predominantly made of (soft) boulder clay. This is prone to slumping which makes the land less stable and therefore more vulnerable to erosion
What are the main factors contributing to the high erosion rate in Holderness
- Long wave fetch across the North Sea
- Geology (Soft boulder clay)
- Narrow beaches (provides little protection)
- Terminal Groyne Syndrome
What is the prevailing wind direction of Holderness
Northerly (pushes sediment south toward the Humber estuary)
Where and why does deposition occur in Holderness
Deposition happens in around the Humber Estuary; when river flow and waves meet, the energy needed to carry the sediment is lost
What issues will be caused by erosion in Holderness (4)
- Loss of settlements (such as Skipsea)
- Loss of productive farmland
- Loss of infrastructure (such as Easington Gas Terminal)
*Loss of SSSIs and SPAs (such as Hornsea Mere)
How much of the Holderness coastline is protected by traditional hard engineering strategies
11.4 km out of 61 km
Which hard engineering defences are in place in Hornsea?
- Rock Armour (Rip Rap)
- Concrete sea wall
- Timber groynes
Which hard engineering defences are in place in Bridlington?
- 4.7 km long sea wall
- Timber groynes
Which hard engineering defences are in place in Mapleton and what are they defending?
- 2 rock groynes
- 500 metres of revetments
They protect the village as well as a B road
Which hard engineering defences is in place in Easington and what is it defending?
Revetments are in place to defend the Gas Terminal which is now only 25 metres from the cliff edge