Section 4.4 - Human Activity on the Coast Flashcards
How does costal management (eg. Building groynes) affect the coastline down drift?
By building groynes, the material on the beach is essentially trapped. This means that erosion down drift continues however there is no LSD replenishing the sediment that is then lost.
What is dredging? How does dredging affect the coastline
Dredging is when material is removed from the seabed and moved somewhere else, often for construction. Dredging will often lead to a very unprotected coastline, susceptible to erosion. It can also alter wave patterns that can have unprecedented consequences.
How does industry affect the coastline?
Industry has a large effect on the coastline. Oil is imported by boat, and refineries are built on the coast. These refineries require guaranteed protection, typically only through hard engineering solutions (i.e building concrete defences) and therefore prevents a naturally eroding coastline.
How does development (jobs/houses/building) impact the coastline?
- In the UK, 20 million people love in coastal areas, as housing in London is expensive and many large towns are on the coast
- Also, since property is so expensive in London, businesses move out to coastal cities such as Bournemouth, Brighton, Blackpool meaning jobs are available in these coastal areas, fuelling the drive for housing.
- These factors put pressure on the coast
How is the Swanage Coastline affected by the physical processes?
Swanage is on a concordant coastline, meaning that headlands and bays are found along the coastal area in Swanage. Erosion means sediment is moved in the direction of LSD away from certain areas.
How is the Swanage area affected by human processes?
Groynes have been put in place in Swanage. This means that down the beach (in the direction of the prevailing wind) the area is being starved of material as it is still being eroded however sediment is trapped towards the middle of the beach and is not being redistributed.
