Case Study: Mappleton

Where is Mappleton located?

Mappleton is located on the Holderness coast in East Yorkshire, approximately 3km south of Hornsea

What is the population of Mappleton?

around 50 properties and approximately 342 people

What is the erosion rate at Mappleton?

the coastline is eroding at around 2 metres per year

What is the main road serving Mappleton?

the B1242, which connects settlements along the Holderness coast

What is the geology of Mappleton?

Boulder Clay (glacial till) deposited during the last ice age around 18,000 years ago, which is soft and erodes quickly

Why is Mappleton at risk from erosion?

it is made of soft Boulder Clay and exposed to destructive waves on the Holderness coast, leading to rapid coastal retreat

Why was coastal management implemented at Mappleton?

to protect the B1242 road and the village, as it was cheaper than relocating the road and settlements

What are the main coastal defences used at Mappleton?

Rock groynes and rock armour (revetment), along with cliff re

How much did the coastal defences at Mappleton cost?

approximately £2 million spent in 1991

What materials were used in the defences at Mappleton?

Granite imported from Norway was used for rock armour and groynes

What is the purpose of groynes at Mappleton?

to trap sediment moved by longshore drift and build up a wider beach

How do groynes affect longshore drift at Mappleton?

they interrupt longshore drift, preventing sediment from moving along the coast

What is the purpose of rock armour at Mappleton?

to absorb wave energy and protect the base of the cliffs from erosion

What is cliff re

profiling?

Why is vegetation used on cliffs at Mappleton?

to stabilise slopes and help reduce mass movement such as slumping and mudflows

What is a positive impact of coastal defences at Mappleton?

reduced erosion between groynes and created a wider beach

How have defences benefited infrastructure at Mappleton?

they have protected the B1242 road from coastal erosion

How have defences affected tourism at Mappleton?

the wider sandy beach and facilities (car park and toilets) have attracted more tourists

What is a negative impact of defences on downdrift areas?

reduced sediment supply has increased erosion further south along the coast

Why does erosion increase downdrift of Mappleton?

groynes trap sediment, so less material is transported further along by longshore drift

Which location is negatively affected downdrift of Mappleton?

Cowden, where erosion rates increased significantly after defences were built

What impact have the defences had on Cowden?

increased erosion led to loss of land and property, including farms and homes

How did erosion rates change at Cowden after defences?

increased from around 1 metre per year to about 3 metres per year

What conflict is caused by Mappleton defences?

tension between local authorities protecting Mappleton and landowners further along the coast who experience increased erosion

What is the overall evaluation of Mappleton coastal management?

effective locally in protecting property and infrastructure, but causes negative downstream impacts and coastal squeeze elsewhere

What type of waves affect the Holderness coast?

destructive waves, which erode cliffs and remove sediment faster than it is deposited

Why is beach formation important at Mappleton?

a wider beach acts as a natural barrier, absorbing wave energy and reducing erosion of the cliffs