Topic Summaries

Case study – managing coastlines

IGCSE > Geography > CIE > IGCSE Geography Topic Summaries > Management strategies for coastal landscapes > Case study – managing coastlines
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Weather hazards and atmospheric circulation

Tropical storm hazards

Responding to tropical storms

Hot desert ecosystems

Cold environment ecosystems

Glacial landscapes

Glacial landform processes

Water supply

Energy supply

Holderness coastline
Key details

Location: north-east England

Erosion rate: retreats at 1–2 metres per year, one of the fastest eroding coastlines in Europe
Reasons for management

Geology: the cliffs are made of soft clay, which erodes quickly, especially when saturated by rain.

Longshore drift: strong prevailing winds move material southwards, reducing beach size and exposing cliffs.
Management strategies

Groynes: two groynes were built to trap sediment and create a wider beach, protecting the cliffs from waves.

Rock armour: large boulders were placed at the base of the cliffs to absorb wave energy and reduce erosion.
Effects and conflcits

Tourism: increased litter, hazards, and demand for facilities, increasing pressure on local infrastructure.

Sustainability: rising sea levels mean future defences must consider long-term sustainability (groynes causing increased erosion down the coast at Mappleton)

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