1.1.9 Holderness Coast Case Study

where is holderness locaated

• north east coast of england

• most northern = flambourough head

• most southern = spurn head

how long is holderness coast

61km

how much erosion happens there per year

1 meter ( most in europe)

what river flows directly into the sea at holderness coast

the river Humber

what are the physical processes operating in this area

• abrasion

• wave quarrying

• hydraulic action

how does the fetch affect the size of the waves

• its over 2000km from the north sea

• creates more friction and can pick up more water, making the waves bigger - more energy

what are some social issues in this area

• residents forced to move out of their home yet cant sell it due to erosion

• many people may lose business e.g. caravan parks, decreasing their income and QoL

what are some political issues in this area

people disagree on the placement of the coastal management strategies because the goverment can’t protect everything so some things still undergo erosion e.g. Great Cowden

what are some economic problems in this area

• the B142 has been partially destroyed so people in the area wont be able to get to jobs to earn money

• the government can’t repair everything and have to try and protect the coastline first to stop it getting worse but then cant fix the road

what are some environmental issues in this area

due to terminal groyne syndrome the area of coastline after mappleton (Great Cowden) undergoes faster erosion, effecting the natural processes and habitats

what are some examples of where coastal management strategies have been used

• Hornsea

• Mappleton

Mappleton

• constructed a sea wall with extra support of rock armour

• over £2 million

was the coastal management at mappleton a success

yes because it prevented any other houses or properties from being lost and has slowed down the rate of erosion to almost nothing. this is a success as it shws the town has greatly benefited from it

hornsea

• repaired groynes and installed more

• raised the old sea wall

• coast £5.2 million

was the coastal management at Hornsea effective

yes because they created a wider beach which would absorb more of the energy from the waves as well as the se wall absorbing the rest of the energy, reducing the erosion and destruction on the coastline

how is the effectiveness of Hornsea limited

terminal groyne syndrome

• settlements that are south of hornsea will erode much faster because they aren’t getting sediment

how much farm land was lost along holderness coast

80,000km which means there is a loss of livelihood and business

why might the farmers not be happy with the coastal management

they were poorly compensated for the loss of their land due to things like terminal groyne syndrome