What problems are created along the Holderness coastline?
In the case of the Holderness coastline, its geology (weak clays) waves (destructive during North Sea storms) and Geomorphology (the shape of the coastline allows the waves to break at the base of the cliffs) make erosion almost inevitable. However some defences have been attempted.
What factors have led to the Holderness coast eroding?
There are two main reasons why this area of coast is eroding so rapidly. The first is the result of the strong prevailing winds creating longshore drift that moves material south along the coastline. The second is that the cliffs are made of soft boulder clay which erodes rapidly when saturated.
How are humans causing change on the Holderness coast?
Human interference, such as sea defences, causes rapid erosion of the unprotected beaches and cliffs. To counter this, local and regional authorities are nowadays trying set up integrated coastal zone management programmes for the whole coastline.
What is the situation of Withernsea?
Withernsea lies upon boulder clay. This material was deposited by glaciers during the last ice age 18,000 years ago. The boulder clay is very soft and erodes easily. Below the top layer of boulder clay, the geology is Cretaceous chalk.
Where is coastal erosion a problem?
The California coast, which has soft cliffs of sedimentary rock and is heavily populated, regularly has incidents of house damage as cliffs erodes. Devil’s Slide, Santa Barbara, the coast just north of Ensenada, and Malibu are regularly affected.
What sea Defences are at Withernsea?
The seafront at Withernsea is protected by hard engineering solutions such as groynes, concrete seawalls and rock armour.
- Seawall, rock armour and groynes at Withernsea.
- The whole of the defended frontage benefits from a groyne field which traps sand and has formed wide beaches.
Whats it like to live in Withernsea?
It’s almost like a market village that happens to be next to the sea. And it’s this atmosphere that attracts many of its visitors. Withernsea has a slower speed, a calmer feel to it. A walk on the blue-flag beach and some fish and chips stubbornly (and admirably) remain the biggest draw.
When a beach is removed from a coastline during a storm?
Beach erosion occurs when waves and currents remove sand from the beach system. The loss of sand causes the beach to become narrower and lower in elevation (Figure 1). Storm waves carry the sand offshore, depositing and storing the sediment in large sandbars.
What are 3 ways to prevent beach erosion?
Present beach erosion prevention methods include sand dunes, vegetation, seawalls, sandbags, and sand fences.