The Holderness coast Flashcards
what is the holderness coast?
one of the fastest eroding areas in Britain
what is the spectacular evidence of erosion along the holderness coast?
sea cliffs and wave cut platforms
stacks,caves,arches
what is the majority of the coast made up of?
glacial till
on average the cliffs are eroding at a rate of?
1.5 - 2m per year
natural cliff erosion happens on the holderness coast via the following cycle…
- soft boulder clay cliffs become saturated with rainwater
- steep cliff face fails and a landslide or slump takes place
- the cliff and debris create a steep angle
- storm waves remove debris in LSD, the cliff steepens and the cycle begins again
what are the socio-econmic impacts of coastal erosion?
- properties threatened by erosion lose value
- trade with diminish as facilities close
- the loss of jobs means the young leave
- shops and schools will close as populations fall
what are the main problems at mappleton?
boulder clay cliffs
strong waves
narrow beach
what was the management decision employed at mappleton?
‘hold the line’ and try and tackle the process at the face and foot of the cliffs
what was mappleton funded with?
a 2.1 million pounds EU grant
The scheme adopted had 3 components these were:
- two rock groynes
- a rock revetment (rip rap)
- re-grading of the boulder clay cliffs
what is happening at barmston?
at barmston the coastline is retreating
tipping of rocks to protect the cliffs -temporary defences
but the ‘do nothing’ approach means this will soon end
what is the magagement policy at hornsea?
‘hold the line’
what has happened at hornsea (management)?
replacement or repair of 19 groynes
underpinning sea walls
building a flood wall
placing rip-rap
is management along the holderness coast sustainable?
- not sustainable
- fast erosion rates-cost too much to damage
- managed some parts but not others, should focus on the coastline as a whole
- places e.g mappleton will stick out as headlands and be more susceptible to erosion
what are the arguments for protecting the holderness coast?
tourist industry - gas terminal
infrastructure
homes
loss of farming and industry
spit acts as a natural barrier and protects humber from flooding
coastline needs protecting due to rock structure which means erosion will continue without management
what are the arguments against protecting the holderness coastline?
- accelerated erosion results in coastal system needing to be managed however GW causes greater erosion and the management isn’t working
- management strategies sometimes can’t cope with severe storm surge
- the towns that are currently being protected could end up as isolated headlands as areas around them retreat backwards
what are the factors which account for the rapid rate of erosion along the holderness coast?
- long fetch and powerful waves from the north-east
- weak and unconsolidated till cliffs
- extensive mass movement
- narrow beach making the cliffs vulnerable to wave attack
- lack of coastal defences
what are the factors which affect cliff profiles and rates?
geology
fetch
management
what are the possible impacts of sea level rise on coastal processes and landforms along the holderness coast?
- eustatic sea level = more common occurrence
- rise in sea level leads to more storm surges
- increased storm surge frequency leads to increased erosion
- due to nature of boulder clay cliffs result is going to be more rapid
- more powerful destructive waves will attack the holderness coastline leading to accelerated eorison
what is resilience?
the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties
what is mitigation?
the action of reducing the severity of something
what is adaptation?
the processes of change by which something becomes better suited to it’s environment
MAPPLETON
In 1991, the decision was taken to protect Mappleton. A coastal management scheme costing £2 million was introduced = placing rock armour along the base of the cliff and building two rock groynes.
Mappleton and the cliffs are no longer at great risk from erosion.
The rock groynes have stopped beach material being moved south from Mappleton along the coast. However, this has increased erosion south of Mappleton.
What has the management been at spurn head?
Combination of hard strategies
Timber groynes
Sea wall
At spurn head what are the consequences of the groynes and sea wall?
The central part of spit has been frozen whilst the landward end moves westward matching erosion of holderness Coast
What have they decided to do on the beach of Easington?
They have decided to build groynes to protect the gas terminal
Would protecting Easington be worthwhile?
Economically yes but realistically the North Sea gas has only 30 year life span so groynes being removed and the reform of the spit may be more sustainable
What are the physical features of flambourgh head?
Headland consisting of hard Rock white chalk cliffs
What is present at flambourgh head?
Caves Arches Stacks Stumps Wave cut platforms