With reference to named areas, describe and explain different ways coastal areas can be protected from the effects of natural processes
Coastal areas can be protected from the effects of natural processes, for example the effects of erosion, deposition, transportation, weathering and mass movement. The most problematic of these is erosion. There are three types of erosion: hydraulic action, abrasion and attrition which all contribute together to erode cliffs, causing the coastline to be vulnerable and weaker. The cause of erosion can then lead to mass movement for example rock fall and slumping which can affect the coastline greatly due to them changing it quite considerably.
Coastal areas however, can be protected from the effects of these natural processes. Shoreline Management Plans are long term sustainable plans that will help to protect areas of coastline from the likes of erosion and mass movement. There are four different types: no active intervention, advance the line, hold the line and managed retreat. In Sea Palling on the North Norfolk coast, the SMP is ‘hold and advance the line’ which is needed in Sea Palling due to it becoming increasingly vulnerable to coastal flooding because as it is on the North Norfolk coast, the cliffs are made up of soft sands and clay, making them particularly vulnerable to the effects of natural processes such as erosion. By Sea Palling being protected, this also means that the Norfolk Broads are defended as they are behind Sea Palling, protecting the growing tourist industry there. In Happisburgh there is a ‘no active intervention’ management plan, which will mean that in the next 100 years 20-35 properties, the caravan park land and 45 hectares of agricultural land will all be lost. This management plan may seem like a bad idea due to these factors, however if the coast at Happisburgh was protected it would impact significantly on the sediment transportation. Although there are implications of not protecting this area from the effects of natural processes such as loss of houses, these are not sufficient to economically justify building new defences on
Coastal areas however, can be protected from the effects of these natural processes. Shoreline Management Plans are long term sustainable plans that will help to protect areas of coastline from the likes of erosion and mass movement. There are four different types: no active intervention, advance the line, hold the line and managed retreat. In Sea Palling on the North Norfolk coast, the SMP is ‘hold and advance the line’ which is needed in Sea Palling due to it becoming increasingly vulnerable to coastal flooding because as it is on the North Norfolk coast, the cliffs are made up of soft sands and clay, making them particularly vulnerable to the effects of natural processes such as erosion. By Sea Palling being protected, this also means that the Norfolk Broads are defended as they are behind Sea Palling, protecting the growing tourist industry there. In Happisburgh there is a ‘no active intervention’ management plan, which will mean that in the next 100 years 20-35 properties, the caravan park land and 45 hectares of agricultural land will all be lost. This management plan may seem like a bad idea due to these factors, however if the coast at Happisburgh was protected it would impact significantly on the sediment transportation. Although there are implications of not protecting this area from the effects of natural processes such as loss of houses, these are not sufficient to economically justify building new defences on