Coastal landscapes Wave types and their fear lecCeaccld send d you will find out about the formation and On this sprea characteristics of waves How do waves form? ind blowing over the Waves are formed by the sea. Friction with the surface of the water causes ripples to form and these develop into waves. The distance the wind blows across the water is called 1@ more tho fetch. The longer the fetch, t the wave. Waves can also be formed more dramatically thquakes or volcanic eruptions shake the seabed, These waves are called tsunami. In March 2011 a wall of water up to 40m high crashed into the Japanese coast north of Tokyo destroying several coastal settlements and kiling over 20000 people (photo B), when ea What happens when waves reach the coast? In the open sea, despite the wavy surface, there title horizontal movement of water, Only when waves approach the shore is there forward trovernent of water as waves break and SUurg® UP the beach (diagram C). The seabed interrupts the circular movement of the ter becomes shallower, the circular motion becomes more elliptical. This causes the rest of the wave to rise up and eventually to collapse onto the beach. The water that rushes UP the beach is called the swash. The water that flows ack towards the sea is called the backwash. water, As the wat i waves hit the coast of Japan Waves approaching the coast Top of wave Wave 08998 ater fom Waterrushos ayes faster tobeak Weer Up the be este previous — up tne fave returns ie ” = se ool Friction with the seabed Ly scton wth te sea aligtcal erat Circular ortoit distorts the circular orbital motion sa Shelving seabed foes in open waterWave types itis possi to identity two types of wave atthe coast. Constructive waves These are low waves that surge | up the beach and ‘spl with 2 powerful swash (diagram D) They carry and depost large amounts of sand and pebbies | and ‘construct’ the beach making it more extensive. Surfers preter i constructive waves because they give longer rides (photo Al These waves are formed | by storms often hundreds of kiometres away. Wave crests far apart | Destructive waves | These are formed by local storms | ‘lose to the coast, and they can ‘destroy’ the beach — hence their name. They are closely spaced ‘and often interfere with each ‘other producing a chaotic swiring ‘mass of water. They become f high and steep before plunging down onto the beach (diagram ), There iste forward motion Waves close together (ewash) when a destructive wave breaks but a powerful backwash. This explains the removal of sand and pebbles and the gradual destruction of the beach, 4 @ Copy diagram C and draw an arrow to show the direction of the waves. b Add the labels swash and backwash in the correct places. ‘© What causes the waves to rise up and break on the beach? d_ When waves break on a sandy or pebbly beach the amount of backwash is often legs than the amount of swash. Why do you think this is? ‘e Larger pebioles are found at the top of the beach with smaller ones near the bottom, Use your answer to d to suggest reasons why. 2. Why do surfers prefer constructive waves to destructive waves? 3. Outine the characteristics of constructive and destructive waves. ‘Complete a copy of the table below. Gentty stoping ‘wave front Wave characteristic Constructive wave | Destructive wave i Wave height Wave length Type of wave break {spiling or plunging) Stergth of swash ‘Svength of backwash ‘Net beach sediment (gain o loss) Breaking wave spls forward ‘Strong swash pushes ‘sand and even pebbles up the beach Ona Breaking wave iu owners sma ‘Strong backwash puls ‘sand and even pebbles out to sea @ desrcire aes Carry out some research about ‘the tsunami waves that struck Japan in Maron 2011 + Wy were the waves so high and so powerful? + What were the impacts con people and human activities? + What effect did the waves have on the chysical geography ofthe coast of dlapert? Geeta: eee Compare the characteristics of constructive and destructive ‘waves. (4 marks)Weathering and mass movement On this spread you will find out about processes of weathering and mass movement at the coast Rockfall at Beachy Head, 2001 Photo A shows a dramatic rockfall that happened at B Head in sex. During the wet winter of 2000 the chalk rock became saturated with water. The water froze during the winter. In April 2001 this caused @ rock huge slab of chalk broke away and collapsed into the sea. mbine with the action of the waves to hy What causes cliffs to collapse? 2 of cifferent types of weathering, This is the weakening or decay of rocks in their original place n, oF close to, the ground surface. It is mostly caused by Rockall at Beachy Head, S weather factors such as rainfall and changes in temperature. There are three types of weathering: Mechanical (physical) weathering ~ the disintegration (break- ay Up) of rocks. Where this happens, piles of rock fragments called scree can be found at the foot of clits, Water oolects in cracks in rock Chemical weathering ~ caused by chemical changes. Rainwater, which is slightly acidic, very slowly dissolves certain types of rocks and minerals. Biological weathering - due to the actions of flora and fauna. Plant + Non roots grow in cracks in the rocks. Animals such as rabbits burrow Into weak rocks such as sands. pe) Water reazes to form oe Expansion causes stresses ‘and cracks are enlarged / PR Rock tagrentbesks | CA offend celts 38, | scree atthe fot ofthe rooktce Repeated | freezhg and thawing of freeze-thaw weathering The process Landslip at Holbeck Hal, ScarboroughCo cand Freeze-thaw Look at diagram B. (mechanical ‘© Water collects in cracks or holes (pores) in the rook. ‘© Atnight this water freezes and expands and makes ‘cracks in the rock bigger. ‘+ When the temperature rises and the ioe thaws, water wil, ‘seep deeper into the rock. ‘+ After repeated treezing and thawing, freaments of rock ‘may break off and fal to the foot ofthe cif (scree). ‘Salt weathering ¢ Seawater contains salt. When the water evaporates it (mechenical) eaves behind salt crystals. ‘+ Incracks and noles these salt crystals grow and expand. ‘+ This puts pressure on the rocks and flakes may ‘eventually break off Carbonation _—_*-Rainwater absorbs CO, from the air and becomes slightly {chernical) acidic. ‘© Contact with alkaline rocks such es chalk and limestone produces a chemical reaction causing the rocks to slowly dissolve, What are the processes of mass movement? Mass movement is the downward movement or sliding of material under the influence of gravity, In 1993, 60m of clif slipped onto the beach near ‘Scaroorough in North Yorkshire taking with it part of the Holbeck Hall Hote! {photo C}, The hotel was left on the cif edge and had to be demolished. Diagram D describes some of the common types of mass movement found at the coast. Both mass movement and weathering provide an input of material to the coastal system. Much of this material is carried away by waves and deposited further along the coast, 4 a Drawa simple sketch of the coastline in photo A. Label the rocktall, the chalk ciffs and the rocky beach. b Do you think freeze-thaw is active here? ‘© What is scree? Label this feature on your sketch. @ How might rockfalls be a hazard to people? 2 Make a copy of dagram B and add detailed annotations to describe the process of freeze- thaw weathering, 3. Desoribe the process of mess movement in photo © and suggest the causes. Biro co) ae = — erg “Tout lighthouse peel Q Types of mass movement at the coast f Rookfall fragments of rock breek away from the ci face, tan dus to treaze- westheing b Landslide —blocks of ook sie downhit ‘Sic plane Beading of ks ‘¢ Mudtiow ~ scturted sol anc weak rock flows down a sope ZF satrated sl and rock debris Badkock Lote © Rotational ep - sump of saturate sal fend weak rock along @ curved sure Heed Cure sip dene Describe the effects of weathering and mass movement on a ciffed coastine. (6 marks)Coastal erosion processes and deposition Coastal erosion Erosion involves the removal of material and the landforms. There are several different process Solution “The ciszolving of soluble chemicals in rocks, 2.9. limestone. tydraulic power his is the power of the waves as they emash onto a cit. racped air is forced into hotes and cracks inthe rock ‘ventually causing the rock to break ara. The explosive force strapped ax operating in a crack is called cavitation. ‘Attrition FRock fragments carried by the sea knock against one another = ‘causing them to become smaller and more rounded. Coastal transportation be transport Sediment of different sizes four different ways. (aiagram B): solution * suspension * saltation * traction. © 100s of coastal transportation On this spread you will find out about the processes of erosion ping of sof coastal erosion. q Processes of erosion Corrasion Fragments of rock are picked up and hured by the ssa at a cf, The rocks act like tools ‘scraping and gouging to erode the rock. at Si Abrasion This s the ‘sancpapering’ effect of nebbles grinding over obra a rocky platform often causing it to become smoot ? ‘Solution: dissoved ‘Suspension: particles ‘chemicals often derived cared (suspended) fromlimestone or crak win he 4 las as (gy ee Saltation: 2 ‘hopping’ or ‘bouncing’ motion of particles ‘Traction: large pebbles too heavy to be suspended rolled along the seabedastal landscapes Longshore drift paca ‘The movement of sediment on a beach ay seiment depends on the direction that waves ves ane atthe | upto Beach approach the coast (diagram €). Where aioe waves approach ‘head on’, sediment and dovn the beach ee is simply moved up and down the wah ie tect sole beach. But if waves approach at an llloie EER card back angle, sediment will be moved along the beach in a ‘zigzag’ pattern, This is called longshore drift Longshore dit is responsible for a number cf important coastal ndtorms including beaches and spits (pages 100-1), Waves approsch the} bch tn angle i orectono F Coastal deposition irate 0G Seca ei roach Sng te orach y Coastal deposition takes pace in areas ane font at where the flow of water slows down wn = Waves lose energy in sheltred bays Rees ae RI IERIE oem @ coms or bars (Gee page 101), Here sediment can no longer be carried or move and decane: Menon is therefore deposited. This exclains wry reads beaches are found in bays, where the ‘energy of the waves is reduced, This is called wave refraction (diagram D), Mudifats and saltmarshes are often found in sheltered estuaries behind spits where there is very ite flow of water, 1a Draw an annotated diagram similar to B to show the processes of erosion. Show a wave breaking against the foot of a cif b Add detaied labels to describe the five processes of erosion. 2 a What is meant by the term ‘longshore ari’ (diagram CY? b Why does this only occur on some beaches? ¢ Draw 2 diagram to show the process of iongshora drift, Add labels to deseribe what is happening, imagine you are doing a fieldwork investigation for evidence of longshore dit along e stretch of coast. What evidence would you look for and why? ene ead ‘What factors affect the processes operating along a stretch of coastline? (6 marks)‘On this spread you will find out about the characteristics and formation of coastal landforms The formation of What is a landform? headlands and bays You will come aoross the term ‘tandtform’ all the time in physical geograpty. A landform is a feature : of the landscape that has been formed or scuipted uauaoaet Les resistant by processes of (eon cay pec ‘+ erosion © transportation + deposition. What factors influence coastal landforms? _ = ‘Some rocks are tougher and more resistant Gay one Mo epeaied than others, locks such as granite, limestone Resistant harder Headend and chalk form impressive cliffs and headlands because they are more resistant to erosion. Softer rocks, clays and sands are more easily eroded to form bays or low-lying stretches of coastiine, Geological structure includes the way that layers of rocks are folded or tited. This can be ‘an important factor in the shape of ciffs, Faults ane cracks in rocks. Enormous tectonic pressures can cause rocks to ‘snap! rather than feld bend) and movernent (or aisplacement) happens on either side ofthe Fault Faults form lines of weakness in rocks, easily carved out by the sea. cchalk or limestone Clay Headlands and bays bittorent types of rock at the coastine will be eroded at diferent rates. Weaker tpands of rock (euch as clay) erode more easily to form bays. As the bays are sheltered, depostion takes place and a sandy beach forms (diagram A). ‘The tougher, more resistant bands of rock (such as imestone or sandstone) are eroded much more slowly. They stick out into the sea to form headlands. Erosion dominates in these high-energy environments, which explains why there are no beaches. Most erosional landforms are found at headlands. 9 Wave-cut piatform and ‘beach near Beachy Head Cliffs and wave-cut platforms When waves break against a oliff, erosion close to the righ tide line wil wear away the cliff to form a wave-cut notch. Over a long period of ime — usually hundreds of years ~ the notch wil got deoper and deeper, undercutting the cif. Eventually the overtying lif can no longer support its own weight and it collapses. ‘Through @ continual sequence of wave-cut natch formation and cif collapse, the cif will gradually retreat. In its place will be ‘gently sioping rocky platform called a wave-cut platform {photo B). A wave-cut platform is typically quite smooth due to the process of abrasion. However, in some places it may be scarred ‘with rock pois.I Caves, arches and stacks A Lines of weakness in a headland, such as faults, are particularly © Auth Geena tale vulnerable to erosion. The energy of the waves wears away the rock eombnaene along a line of weakness to form a eave (diagram C). Over time, erosion __* A process such as longshoe dit may leed to two back-to-back caves breaking through a headland to isnot a lendtorm * A geological feature such as a jont form an arch, Gradually the arch is enlarged by erosion at the base in a rock outerop is not a landform, and by weathering processes (such as freeze-thaw) acting on the root. Eventually the roof will be worn away and collapse to form an isolated It you are in any doubt, check with pillar of rock known as a stack. your teacher! 4 The arch is eroded and the root becomes too heavy and collapses. 1 Ajoint or faut in resistant rock. | 2 Abrasion and rycrauic —— 6 The etack is eroded action widen the ent | [8 Waves make the cave larger uni cuts and colapses, leaving | totem acave ttvough the headland to make an arch a stump. © How cars, tacks and arces are fomed Achalk arch, Bwa Gwyn, Anglesey Bwa Gwyn (Photo ) is an impressive arch formed by erosion in an outcrop of white quartzttic rock on the Anglesey coastline. In the past, Bwa Gwyn was. ‘uarried for china clay. Today you can stil see t grindstone used to extract the clay on the top of the rocks. It is stunning climb across the rocks, but it can be dangerous because of unstable cis | © Bre Guyn arch, Anglesey Find an example of a coastne with headlands and Cinobolh tL bays. This could be a stretch of coastine near to 1. Draw a sequence of diagrams to show the ee ee oe formation of headlands and bays. To test your * Search for a map or satelite photo and adc labels iindensieniding, new your ooast facing a citterent to describe the main features. direction to ciagram A, ‘+ Find out about the different types of rook. 2 Draw a sequence of labelled diagrams to show. how a cif is undercut by the sea and then mn = » collapses to form a wave-cut platform. Use your Lidge teas) labels to explain the processes and landforms. Use one distinctive coastal landform to illustrate the 3. Use a sequence of diagrams to explain the erosive power of the sea. (6 marks) formation of a stack (diagram C).Coastal deposition landforms On this spread you will find out about the characteristics and formation of coastal deposition landforms. Beaches Beaches are deposits of sand and shingle (pebbles) at the coast. Sandy beaches are mainly found in sheltered bays (photo A). The waves entering the bay .e8 page 93). They have a strong swash and build up the beach. Not all beaches are made of sand. Much of the south coast of England has pebble beaches. These hig energy environments wash away the finer sand and leave behind the larger pebbles. These come from nearby eroded cliffs or are deposited onshore from vast accumulations out to sea. Diagram B shows the profile of a typical sandy beach. Notice tha clear ridges called berms. One of these marks the high tide line where seaweed and rubbist A sandy beach at get washed up onto the beach | Sand dunes Yeon | 7 1 ‘At the back of the beach in photo A, sand deposited sme Dune i on the beach has been blown inland by onshore / | sap | Sena suinds to form cunes, Diagram G shows how dunes py che inform ear e the further inle oon ff Ghange in form and appearance the further rind i ¥ on | Wasa Embryo dunes form around I te = nee Dune slack berm zene deposited obstacies such as ‘ieces of wood or rocks. ‘dunes Cross section thra ‘These develop and become stabilised by vegetation . to form fore dunes and tall yellow Gunes. Marram cress is adapted to the windy, exoosed conditions ‘and has long roots fo find water. These roots help bind the sand together and stablse the dunes. Inte, rotting vegetation acids organic matter to the sand making it more fertile, A much greater range of plants colonise these ‘back’ dunes, ‘Wind can form depressions in the sand called dune slacks, in which ponds may form, Hurst Castle Spit, Hampshire of sand dune DeveloperSpits A spits a long, narow finger of sand or shingle jutting out into the sea from the land (photo B) Spits form on coasts where there is significant ongshore dit. the coastine changes oriectation and bends sharply, sediment is then deposited out to sea (diagram E). As it builds up, it starts to form an extension trom the land, This process continues with the soit gradually growing further out into the sea, Strong winds or tidal 4 Longshore cit currents can cause the end of the spit to become curved to form a transports sand Sait °°” feature called a recurved end (photo D). There may be anumber of Sengthecowst ga recurved ends marking previous positions of the spit. into the sea In the sheltered water behind the spit, deposits of mud have bul up. An extensive satmarsh has formed as vegetation has started to grow inthe emerging muddy islands. Galtmershes are Bhebecwyd extremely important wide habitats and overwintering grounds wind end wave Prevaing winds recon for migrating birds. Bars © Me caren Longshore drift may cause a spit to grow right across a bay, trapping a freshwater lake (or lagoon) behing it. This feature is caled a bar (photo F ‘An offshore bar forms further out to sea. Waves approaching a gently sloping coast deposit sediment due to friction with the ‘seabed. The build-up of sediment offshore causes waves to break at some distance from the coast. a spit In the UK some offshore bars have been driven anshore by rising sea levels following ice melt at the end of the last glacial period some 8000 years ago. This type of feature is caled a barrier beach. Chesil Beach in Dorset is one of the best examples of this feature in the UK. as) 1. Desoribe the processes responsible for the formation of the beach and the sand dunes in photo A. 2 Draw a sketch of Hurst Castle Spit. Add labels to describe the Characteristic features and the processes responsible for the spit's formation. 3. Describe the characterstics and possible formation of the bar in photo F. Geen How do the processes of deposition lead to the formation of distinctive landtorms? (6 marks) Investigate the characteristics and formation of sand dunes. * Why do they only form in certain places on the coast? * Research ‘sand dune succession’ to find out the sequence cof events in the formation of eand dunes. ‘+ What are the characteristics of marram grass and why does it thrive on sand dunes? aC]Coastal landforms at Swanage (1) On this spread you will find out about coastal erosion and deposition landforms at Swanage, Dorset fa part ge 8S around Sn Where is Swanage? Cone rites roi as he cera ‘Swanage is a seaside town in Dorset on the south coast of England. E35¢ Devon ann Stor It is located in a sheltered bay and has a broad sandy beach (photo B) Weria Hentage This is a classic stretch of coastine with many impressive landforms of coastal erosion and deposition. Of coast in in| ‘4 Different rock types and geological structure are important in the formation of this coasttine, The rocks have been folded and titted so that bands of differen rock types reach the coast. Headlands and bays form where there are alternating bands of more resistant (harder) and less resistant (softer) rocks (map A) al ky Cay and sands (eof) Chalk hard) Limestone (rare) Bournemouth ‘Swanage Bay Swanage ’puriston Head The Swanage coast, DorsetThis indented coas nly one type of rock ~ limestone. This forms a relatively strai is called a concordant coast ine is called a iscordant coastline. On the south coast there t section of coast and To the north of Swanage is Poole Harbour, one of the UK's largest natural harbours. A great deal of deposition has taken place in this large sheltered bay. You can see wo spits at the mouth of the harbour, ane on the south side and one on the north. it Studland there are lagoons, saltmarshes and sand dunes. This area is well known or its wildife. Photo © shows par of the beac! ta b stretch of coastine, 2 a Explain why sediment beach in photo B (see diagram D on page 9 b Why has a beach formed in Swanage Bay? (© Why do you think the beach is popular with visitors? d_ Whetis the evidence in this photo tide is going out? 3 @ Suggest reasons why sand dunes have formed at the back of the beach in photo C. b What is the name of the grass growing on the sand dunes? © How does this grass help Describe the charac think a spect ided for this \d sand dunes at Studland. Carry out some further research about Studland ‘© What are the main habitats found here? = Whyisit an important area for wildite? y Is it a popular place for visitors? * Find out how the area is being managed ton effects of vistors, 0s, evaluate petween the difierent nage Using evidence from t ‘any potertiel conf ses of the Dore ‘and Studland, (6 marks)Coastal landforms at Swanage (2) On this spread you will use map and photo evidence to study landforms of coastal erosion and deposition at Swanage, Dorset Di id you know? oO Harry hag Using the OS map extract and photo taste ens ide by side chalk sea ‘Sam that s eo at tretohed ou Map A is a 1:50000 extract from an OS map of the Swanage coast. BR cok beckto diagram A on page 102 to see how the diferent rook om Swanage Bay. Bun tne [28 types form the headlands and bays. fea tal erodec this secon ntl her ey ie = he chak headland Balard Point on the map, tothe north of 'n 1886. Oc Hany ny oeoea © Bay. Photo B is an aerial photo of this ste frown as a stump, RAPE Notice the e white chalk clffs and the many isolated stacks. z In the far di landform, an isolated st ! 5-up view of Old Harry. called Old Harry. Photo C is a clo Old Harry stack Acri Ine between The Foreland and Old Harry Ballard Point ani jew of the co: the Foreland a] udy map A and photo B. ‘a The Foreland, Peveril Point and Duriston Head are all examples of what tandttorm? In what grid square is the Forelar aking? t local name is given to the stacks ear ‘Approximately how wide is the bay Balard Point to Peveril Point? b What map evidence is there that eposttion is occurring in Swanage Ba ¢ How does this deposition help to exo the growth of Swanage as a tourist aor? the phot © Inwhat direction d_Onthe map, whe shown in the phot alk cliffs in the photo. Harn Describe the characteristics of the c f Givethe figure grid ref Use evidence from the OS map of thleer Treacle) , @ 192000 08 men extract of Swanage coest Spf damn” 06 © Grown copyright o7 Poin 33 3. Study map A and photo ©. a. What are the landforms labeled 1-3 on photo C? Was the photo taken at high tide or low tide? Explain your answer. What additional evidence would you need to conf that landtorm 4 is anarch? Design an information board to be located on The Foreland to explain the formation of Old Harry * Draw aseries of ‘annotated diagrams to describe its formation, Refer to the processes of erosion in your annotations. Remember that your information boerd is ‘aimed at the general public 90 make sure t is clear and attractive. Locete Studland Bay and Studland Heath on map A a Give the four-fgure grid reference for Studland Heath, ‘What isthe meaning of the biue bird symbol at 033850? Describe the ctferent types of natural environment in this area. Why is this area popular with vistors? \Why do you think Studland needs to be managed? b alt.)Managing coasts — hard engineering On this spread you will find out how hard engineering can protect coastlines from the effects of physical processes Why do coasts need to be managed? Coasts need to be managed to maintain a balance between the forces of nature and the demands of people, People ling or working at the coast need to be protected from erosion and flooding, With sea levels expected to nso in the future, coastal defences will become ever more expensive. In some case the ncreasing costs may outweigh the benefts and coastlines may be left undefended What are the coastal management options? There are three different management strategies for defending the coast. Hard engineering - using artical structures such as sea walls to control natural proce: intrusve, more environmentally vork with natural processes to protect Soft engineering ~ friendly methods that the coast Managed retreat - this increasingly popular option enables the controllad retreat of the coastiins, often involving allowing the sea to flood over low-lying land Hard engineering For centuries people have used hard engineering structures Totty to conta the actions of he sea and protect property and land, Sea walls, roynes, rock armour and gabions are the most common hard engineering structures used in coastal management Groynes Description: Timber or rock structures built out to sea from the coast. They trap sediment being moved by longshore drift and enlarge the beach. The wider beach acts as a buffer to reduce wave damage. Cost: Timber groynes £150000 each (at every 200m) Advantage: Create a wider beach, which can be popular with tourists. Provide useful structures for people interested in fishing. Not too expensive. Disadvantages: By interrupting longshore drift they starve beaches further along the coa: Sea wall Deseription: Concrete or rock barrier against the sea, placed at the foot of cliffs or at the top of a beach. Has a curved face to reflect the waves back into the sea. Gost: £5000-£10000 per metre Advantages: Effective at stopping the sea Often has a walkway or promenade for people to walk along, Disadvantages: Can look obtrusive and unnatural. Very expensive and high maintenance costs. ‘Sea wail at Dawish, Devon Groynes at Eastboume, Sussex 3, often leading to increased rates of erosion elsewhere. The problem is therefore shifted rather than solved. Groynes are unnatural and rock groynes in particular can be unattractive.Nowadays hard engineering approaches are less commonly used because thay: ¢ are expensive and involve high maintenance costs ¢ interfere with natural coastal processes and can cause destructive knock-on effects elsewhere - for example, by altering wave patterns erosion can occur further along the coast, leading to new problems such as cif collapse ¢ look unnatural Rock armour Description: Piles of large boulders dumped at the foot of a ciff. The rocks force waves to break, absorbing their energy and protecting the cits. The rocks are usually brought by barge to the coast. Cost: £200000 per 100m Advantages: Relatively cheap and easy to maintain, + Can provide interest to the coast. + Often used for fishing. Disadvantages: ‘© Rocks are usually from other parts of the coastine or even from abroad. Can be expensive to transport + Do not fit in with the local geology. © Can be very obtrusive. 0 eck arnou ce Waton on te Naz, Eso a) 1 @ Whyisa sea wallan exemple of herd local council wishes to defend a 1km stretch of ‘coastine. Celoulate comparative costs for each of the following: sea wall * groynes: © rock armour * gabions, Gabions Description: Wire cages filed with rocks that can be buit up to support a ciff or provide a butter against the sea. Gost: Up to £50000 per 100m Advantages: + Cheap to produce and flexible in the final design. + Can improve drainage of cliffs. + Will eventually become vegetated and merge into the landscape. Disadvantages: ¢ For awhile they ook very unattractive, + Cages only last 5-10 years before they rust. © cavers a Mopenes, Suto Find out about other options for hard engineering. Consider the engineering? following b_ What is the purpose of a sea wall? * revetments * offshore breakwaters * artificial headlands. ‘© What are the advantages and What is the cost of construction? Outline the advantages and disadvantages of a sea wall? disadvantages. Draw a simple diagram to expiin how (groynes cause @ beach to became wider. What are the arguments for and against using gabions 2s a form of coastal defence? eed the coast? (61 Cts What are the advantages and disadvantages of hard engineering at marks) aldprotect coastlines from the effects of How does soft engineering protect the coast? io A shows beach nourishment, cone ofthe most widely used forms of soft engineering. Sand, or inthis case shingle is dredged offshore and transported tothe coast by barge. The shingle is then dumped onto the beach and shaped by bulldozers. This led reprofiling. The highor and ‘wider beach now provides grecter protection to valuable land end property and creates a natural amenity for tourism and recreation Soft engineering approaches such as beach nourishment try to work with natural coastal processes. Photo B shows marram grass being replanted to help stabilise sand dunes. This is called dune regeneration, oft engineering schemes tend to be cheaper than hard ‘engineering although they may rea more maintenance. Every few years beaches will need more sand or shingle and sand dunes may need replanting to replace grass that has died or been trampled. However, these schemes are generally more sustainable and are often the preferred option for coastal management today. Beach nourishment Description: The addition of sand or shingle to an existing beach to make it higher or wider. The sediment is usualy obtained offshore locally so that it blends in with the existing beach material. It is usually transported onshore by barge. Cost: Up to £500000 per 100m. Managing coasts — soft engineering On this spread you will find out how soft engineering can physical processes cape Beach nourishment at Eastboume, East Sussex Seottand Sand dune regeneration at Calg a Advantages: Relatively cheap and easy to maintain. Blends in with existing beach Increases tourist potential by creating a bigger beach. Disadvantages: Needs constant maintenance unless structures are built to retain the beach.Dune regeneration ‘Sand dunes are effective buffers to the sea but are easly damiaged end destroyed by trampling. Marram grass can be planted to stabilise dunes and help them to develop. Fences can be used to keep people off newly-planted areas. Gost: Cost: £200-£2000 per 100m ‘Advantages: ‘@ Maintains a natural coastal environment that is popular with people and wildite. @ Relatively cheap. Disadvantages: @ Time-consuming to plant the marram grass and fence areas off. ‘ People don't always respond well to being prohibited from accessing planted areas. 6 Dune regeneration at Chiohester, ¢ Can be damaged by storms West Sussex Dune fencing Description: Fences are constructed on a sandy beach along the ‘seaward face of existing dunes to encourage new dune formation. These new dunes help to protect the existing dunes. Cost: £400-£2000 per 100m. ‘Advantages: Micimel impact on natural systems. ‘ Can control public access to protect other ecosystems, Disadvantages: + Can be unsightly especial fences become broken. ‘ Regular maintenance needad especially after storms. © dune fencing at Formby, Merseysice ain 1 a Desorbe what is happening in photo A. Find out more about sand dune regeneration. b Why do you think beach nourishment has been + Tryto find an example of sand cunes that chosen to help defend the coastine at Eastbourne? have had to be regenerated (restored ‘© What other forms of coastal defence have been + What caused the problems and what installed here and what is their purpose? solutions hve been adopted? d_ What ar the disadvantages of beach nourishment? + What are the challenges and opportunities 2. a Why do you think the area of sand dunes in photo B forthe future? needs to be restored? b Apart from planting marram grass, whet other forms eee re rr e of management will be needed to restore these dunes? 3. Why do you think there is a wide price range for each of the forms of soft engineering? 4 Suggest why either hard engineering or soft engineering is the best option for detending the coast. Identify the ditferences between hard and soft ‘engineering coastal management strategies, [@mers)Managing coasts — managed retreat On this spread you will find out how managed retreat can protect coastlines from the effects of physical processes Managed retreat Managed retreat is a deliberate policy of allowing the sea to flood or erode an area of relatively low-value land, Its a form of soft engineering as it allows naturel processes to take place and does not intervene in the way hard engineering dos Inthe long term, allowing managed retreat is a more sustainable option than spending lerge ‘sums of money trying to protect the coast with sea walls or groynes, As sea levels continue to rise, managed retreat seems likely to become an increasingly popular choice for managing the coastline The breach of the sea defences at Medmerry Medmerry Managed Retreat, near Chichester, West Sussex Aerial photo B shows a stretch of coastline on the south coast of England near Chichester. This fat, low-lying coast is mainly used for farming and caravan parks. For many years the land was protected by a low sea wall but this is now in need of repair. Building a new sea wall to protect the area against future sea-level rise was a very expensive option. Given the relatively low value of the land, it was decided to allow the sea to breach the current sea defences (photo A) and flood some of the farmland that was previously protected. You can see in the photo how this has happened ‘The Medmerry scheme cost £28milion and the controlled breaching of the old sea defences took place in November 2013. In the future, this scheme wil: create a large natural saltmarsh to form a natural buffer to the sea surrounding farmland jooding help to protect and caravan parks fro establish a valuable wildlife habitat and ‘encourage visitors to the area. Managed ret Mecimerry, West Sussex ‘You can see on photo B that embankments have besn constructed iniand to give protection to farmland, roads and settlements. This alteration of the coast called coastal realignment.Coastal monitoring and adaptation ot require Much of the coastine of the UK does the form of coastal defences. Land may be | sometimes called the ‘Do Nothing’ approacl these areas have to adapt by relocating further golf course (photo ©), reduce the possibilities of confict between mar and views of local people whose li approach might be adopted. hy is managed retreat a sustainable option for coastal management? 2 a Desorive the relief of the area shown in photo B. b What are the main land uses at X and Y? © What is the purpose ofthe feature at 27 d What are the advantages and disadvantages of this scheme? 3. Doyou think the stretch of coast in photo G should be protected or should people adapt to the natural changes takng place? Justify your answer. moorland. In many cases these coastal zones can be left alone - this People Fving or working in ine land. This might involve moving mobile homes on a holiday park, a path, a fence or a hole on a line. This helps to aging the coast and the needs es are affected. This monitoring involves studying marine processes, mass movernent and human activity to ensure safety and to make sure this approach remains the most appropriate. If conditions 196, for example the risk of flooding increases and threatens property, t Scientists conduct monitoring of these stretches of coast a feasible option in s expensive intervention in w-value farmland, forest or Some experts eve reve ron stare? ake in acca ” ase comme re tl te COastal trade, tourisr pe There may, Examine why a system of managed retreat mey not be paris of the coast. (6m Carty out your own research to find another example of managed retreat + What were the pre-existing forms of coastal defence and why has managed retreat now been adopted? ‘© Assess the advantages and disadvantages of your chosen scheme. ak