The Holderness coast Flashcards
Where is the Holderness coast located?
East Yorkshire and has one of the highest rates of coastal erosion.
Explain the site of the Holderness coast.
61km long. Erosion is causing the cliffs to collapse and 1.8m of land is lost every year. In some places such as Great Crowdon over 10m is being lost per year. The cliffs are made of boulder clay which is easily eroded and likely to slump when wet. The beaches are narrow which means they don’t provide enough protection from erosion. It faces the prevailing wind direction which brings waves from the North East so the waves are powerful. Eroded material is moved south by longshore drift exposing a new area of cliff and causing the cliff to retreat.
How are parts of Holderness being protected by coastal defences?
Groynes have been built at Mappleton, Hornsea and Withernsea. A sea wall has been built at Hornsea and Withernsea. Over 11km of the coast is protected by hard engineering strategies.
Why are parts of Holderness being protected?
There are towns and villages like Hornsea (population over 8,000). Important infrastructure like the B1242 road which links many of the towns and businesses. The gas terminal Easington supplies 25% of the UK’s gas and is right on the edge of a cliff.
How have the defences caused problems further along the coast?
Groynes cause narrow beaches to form further down the coast which increases erosion. Lots of farms and caravan parks are at risk in Great Cowden. Causes increased risk of flooding in the Humber Estuary as there is less material to slow the flood water down. Spurn head is at risk of being eroded away because less materials being added to it. Bays are forming between the protected areas, and the protected areas are becoming headlands. Very expensive to maintain the defences.
How have defences caused social problems further down?
Lots of farms and caravan parks are at risk in Great Cowden and there is an increased risk of flooding in the Humber Estuary as less material to slow flood water.
How have defences caused environmental issues further down?
Spurn head is at risk of being eroded away as less material is being added to it and bay anre forming between the protected areas and protected areas headlands.
