Coasts - Case Studies

Question 1

What is the case study for coastal erosion?

Answer 1

Happisburgh, Norfolk

Question 2

Why does coastal erosion happen in Happisburgh?

Answer 2

• Sea-level rising + climate change
• Cliffs are made of clay, sand and silt
• Landslides -> The cliffs often have clay underneath sand, which causes water to build up on the impermeable clay
• Defences upcoast
• Building on the cliffs puts pressure on them
• Norfolk is headland and so it recieves waves from all directions
• Waves have a long fetch and are destructive

Question 3

What is the response like to coastal erosion in Happisburgh?

Answer 3

• Revetments -> 20th Century and mostly destroyed
• Not much being done
• Several options -> Hard and soft engineering
• Granite sea defences were moved back towards the cliffs in 2015
• At the base of the cliffs there are gabions and flexible concrete blocks -> Ineffective

Question 4

What is the case study for a tropical storm?

Answer 4

Cyclone Sidr, Ganges Delta, Bangladesh

Question 5

When was Cyclone Sidr?

Answer 5

2007

Question 6

What were the effects of Cyclone Sidr?

Answer 6

• Over 600 deaths
• 5m tidal wave -> Washed away 3 coastal towns
• 600,000 people evacuated from their homes
• Power and telephone lines cut
• 60 to 80% of trees uprooted
• Over 1000 fishermen missing

Question 7

What was the response like to Cyclone Sidr?

Answer 7

• UN sent in food supplies
• Bangladesh navy started rescue missions
• Helicopters ferried supplies to offshore islands
• Infrastructure re-opened very quickly (for example, Dhaka airport was open after a day)