Case study: North Norfolk coast

Where is the North Norfolk coast?

east England

What is the geology like?

- soft sedimentary rocks (e.g. chalk & glacial deposits of sand & gravel)

- NO HEADLANDS & BAYS as the different layers of rock are perpendicular to the coastline, making it mostly straight

What are the key features & landforms?

- wide sandy beaches (e.g. Brancaster beach & Wells-next-to-sea)

- sand dunes (e.g. Holkham dunes)

- spits (e.g. Blakeney point)

- salt marshes (e.g. Stiffkey)

- low cliffs (e.g. West Runton cliffs & Hunstanton cliffs)

What are some geomorphic processes that act along the North Norfolk coast?

- deposition → forming spits & beaches

- chemical weathering (oxidation) → causes the different coloured layers of chalk at Hunstanton cliffs

- erosion → causes cliff retreat & beach damage

Human activity

- beaches attract tourists & create job opportunities / income

- protected wildlife habitat for seals at Blakeney point

- flint from the area is used to build housing

- Cromer harbor is a hub for fishing & trade

- beach huts built along Wells-next-to-sea

- solar pannels at Holkham used for sustainable energy

What are some examples of hard-engineering that protect the North Norflok coast?

GROYNES → barriers built perpendicular to the coastline at intervals along the beach to slow down long-shore drift & therefore preserve the beach (e.g. Hunstanton & Wells-next-to-sea)

SEAWALLS → concrete walls that absorb & deflect wave energy, preventing erosion (e.g. along promenades at Cromer & Hunstanton)

What are some examples of soft-engineering that protect the North Norflok coast?

SAND DUNE STABALISATION → national trust planted pine trees at Holkham beach to stabilise the sand with their roots as well as providing a habitat for wildlife, duckboards were also installed to encourage visitors not to walk on the marram grass which again stabalises the sand

SALT MARSH PROTECTION → national trust protect Stiffkey salt marsh to encourage the deposition of fine sediment which overtime builds up to form a natural defense to erosion by absorbing wave energy

Why is important to protect the North Norfolk coastline?

- in the last century entire villages (e.g. Shipden & Keswick) have been lost to the sea

- Happisburgh is currently disappearing due to cliff retreat causing people to lose their homes

- tourism is vital to the area

- valuable eco-systems will be lost

Why can it be difficult to protect the coastline?

- it is expensive

- some is very ugly & disruptive to the natural habitat (e.g sea walls)

- it can be controversial as different people want different things (e.g. conservationists might want land to be protected for wildlife whereas locals may want land to used for better sea defenses to protect their homes)