holderness coast case study

Location

North east England and runs from flamborough head to spurn head

Why are there varied rates of erosion along the coastline

Soft clay cliffs in Hornsea and mappleton erode rapidly

Resistant chalk cliffs at flamborough head forming stable landscapes

Causes of erosion: geology

Boulder clay cliffs are extremely weak and easily eroded by waves wind and rain water causing cliff retreat of more than one metre per year

Causes of erosion: power Paul waves

North sea fetch is uninterrupted causing powerful waves that undercut cliff bases forming unstable slopes and collapsing

Causes of erosion: LSD

Transports eroded material from cliffs rapidly southwards removing sediment from the system preventing beaches from building and reducing natural protection, allowing waves to attack cliff bases

Causes of erosion: location and rising sea levels

Coastline faces North Sea receiving large powerful waves

Rising sea levels intensify erosion pressure

Social impacts

Homes destroyed

Road lines severed

Displacement

Reduced service access

Economic impacts

Farmland loss reduces income

Decline in tourism

defence decisions as they are expensive

Environment impacts

Spurn point shifts constantly while sediment moves

Defences disrupt natural processes