case study 5: coastal- holderness coast

why does the holderness coastline need protecting?

• the Holderness coastline is one of the fastest eroding coastlines in Europe, losing up to 2 metres per year.

• coastal erosion threatens infrastructure- homes, roads, essential services etc.

• it affects habitats and biodiversity.

• protecting tourism and fishing industries is also vital for the local economy.

why is the holderness coast eroding so rapidly/easily?

the cliffs are made from less-resistant boulder clay

the narrow beaches don't protect the coast or reduce power of the waves

groynes have been installed to stop longshore drift which narrows unprotected beaches even more

waves at holderness travel long distances over the North sea so they'll have more energy and be more powerful

chalk of Flamborough makes..

..caves, arches and stacks

more resistant rock at Flamborough

chalk is the more resistant rock

what rock underlies Hornsea?

soft boulder clay

how long is Spurn Point’s spit?

5.5km

Spurn point rock

boulder clay (so lots of erosion)

landform at spurn point

longshore drift has caused a spit- ‘sand and shingle spit'

Flamborough Head landform

caves, arches, stacks- landforms due to erosion

coastal management

Mappleton: rock groynes, rock revetments

Withernsea: rip rap, sea wall, groynes

Spurn Head: groynes, rock armour

Spurn point

• sand and shingle spit

• 5.5km long

• formes across the mouth of the River Humber (estuary)

• groynes are old and don't really protect the spit

advantages/ disadvantages groynes

builds a beach encouraging tourism

made of igneous/ metamorphic rocks like granite so they last up to 3 times longer than wood

increases rate of erosion

looks unattractive

advantages/ disadvantages revetments or rock armour

• absorb energy of waves but let water and sediment through so no erosion

• cheap and easy to maintain

• makes access to beach difficult

• large and ugly