• Case Study of coastal erosion - Holderness Coast
• Specific physical and human causes
• Physical and socio-economic consequences

The Holderness Coast in East Yorkshire, is one of Europes fastest eroding coastlines. Due to the resistant chalk headland of Flamborough in the north of the region to the vulnerable spit of Spurn Head in the south, the evidence of erosion is clear. The average rate of erosion is around 2 m a year. Since Roman Times (2000+ years) 4km has been lost and 30 villages have been destroyed.

CAUSES

Physical

• The coast is frequently subjected to powerful destructive waves (created by strong winds blowing over a long fetch) from the North Sea.
• The soft boulder clay cliffs, deposited at the end of the last Ice Age are easily eroded.
• The destructive power of the waves may be increasing due to slow sea level rise.
• The eroded material is transported out to sea or transported by longshore drift. Therefore the beaches are thin and do little to protect the coastline.

Human

• Input of new resistance points along the coast at Hornsea, Withernsea, Mappleton and the Gas Terminals at Easington.
• The removal of sediment offshore. In 2000 3, 811, 044 tonnes was dredged legally offshore but it is thought more has been removed illegally.

EFFECTS

Social and Economic

• Industry at Easington is being threatened as the gas terminal is too close to the sea. It supplies a large amount of North Sea oil.
• Farms alongside the sea are devaluing and losing profits year on year as land falls into the sea.
• Withernsea has to spend millions of pounds each year to protect its population.
• Properties along the coast lose their value, leaving owners in negative equity.
• Many of the settlements rely heavily on tourism and if they are undefended their trade would diminish as facilities close down.
• There would be little or no new investment to sustain local communities.
• The loss of jobs and few jobs means that young people move away from the settlements along the coast.

Environmental

• By protecting certain areas along the coast it has made erosion worse in other places.
• Essential services (coastguard and lifeguard) will soon have to be moved as due to defences Spurn point is not receiving enough material.
• Wildlife behind Spurn Point is losing diversity as the environment cannot support many species due to the lack of sediment.
• The headland at Flamborough has formed into classic examples of stacks, arches, stumps and caves.