intentional activity on the west somerset coastline

Question 1

name 6 techniques that could stop beach erosion

Answer 1

• step revetments
• rock armour
• managed retreat
• groynes
• curve seawall/ seawall
• beach nourishment

Question 2

what is a curved sea wall

Answer 2

a coastal defence that is designed so that it deflects waves and reduces the impacts that the overtopping of waves may cause

Question 3

what is rock armour

Answer 3

a permanent, erosion - resistant ground cover of large, loose angular stone boulders. the boulders absorb wave energy and so reduce erosion and flooding

Question 4

what are step revetments

Answer 4

they can be mad of wood or concrete although concrete step no seem to be favoured. they allows the backwash to loose energy and so encourage deposition building up the beach profile

Question 5

what are groynes

Answer 5

these are constructed from a variety of materials, including concrete and wood. they interrupt longshore drift so that sand accumulates between the groynes and helps build up the beach profile

Question 6

what is managed retreat

Answer 6

this is where the coastline is left undefended so that coastal processes may flood the land often creating a salt marsh. this then creates a natural buffer to protect land further inland, it is inexpensive, sustainable and creates good habitat

Question 7

what is beach replenishment

Answer 7

this strategy, depends on a source of sediment nearby, which can then be dredged and placed on the depleted beach. this builds up the beach and helps create a natural buffer against erosion and flooding

Question 8

why did the local council allow for managed retreat of Porlock bay

Answer 8

due it being an inexpensive solution to a problem, that would also help to stop future flooding, as there is now a salt marsh that can absorb some of the water that is present

Question 9

why did the local council, chose to use hard engineering strategies on the beach Infront of Butland’s in Minehead

Answer 9

due to the financial value that Butlins adds to the area, with it generating a large amount of income for the area of Minehead, in addition to this it means that there is a large amount of pressure put on the council, to maintain the coastline making it suitable for general use.