St. Peter’s High School
Geography Department

Mr J Simcox | Mrs A Dadge | Mr J Mitchell | Mrs S Miklosic | Mr C Evans | Mrs G Stott

Short Course - Coasts

The earth’s crust is modified by coastal processes which result
in distinctive landforms.
Constructive and destructive waves.
Processes of erosion (hydraulic power,
corrosion, corrasion; attrition; transport (traction, saltation, suspension, solution, longshore drift) and deposition.

Landforms and characteristic features and formation of wave cut platforms, cliffs, caves, arches, stacks, beaches, spits in the context of an example of an erosional coastline and a depositional coastline.
The processes should be understood in the context of their role in forming the coastal features listed.

Stuedns should study two small stretches of coastline to illustrate erosional and depositional features and processes eg. a headland as in the Lulworth Cove area, Marsden Rock, Flamborough Head, Hurst Castle, Spurn Point etc. The use of photographs and Ordnance Survey maps would prove helpful in this context.

Students may be expected to name examples and describe the characteristics of the features and explain their formation with reference to the appropriate processes that have been at work ie erosion or deposition features?

Recognise and describe coastal features on Ordnance Survey maps.
The interaction between people and coastal environments.
Coastal management issues – coastal erosion and tourism. The social, environmental and political problems caused by coastal erosion and tourism eg. cliff collapse, coastal flooding, problems of resorts.
Students should be aware of small scale exemplars of coastal areas where management issues occur. Such examples may include the
Holderness coast (erosion), - or why not look at a St Peter's example - Happisburgh on the Norfolk coast, Spanish resort and Bangladesh (coastal flooding). Students should be aware of the problems caused and their impact on different groups such as locals, governments and visitors.

The strategies used to solve problems such as coastal defences eg. groynes, sea walls, extending the tourist season and providing new facilities. The different values and attitudes of interested groups to coastal protection strategies and tourist developments and which strategies constitute sustainable development.
Students should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the strategies to different groups of people such as the impact further along a coast of building groynes and the possibility of overcrowding when new facilities are provided.
Other possibilities include measures taken to meet the EU guidelines for Blue Flag awards land use conflicts e.g. dredging near Blackpool.

Opportunities exist for decision making exercises about the implementation of strategies.

TEST YOURSELF ON COASTS - CLICK HERE

visit these web links to help you revise for the coasts sectionvisit these web links to help you revise for the coasts section

1. First stop - waves. Have a look at the Surf Station website in Devon. They have webcams so that you can see the height of the waves and surfing conditions. They also have useful data on waves size.

2. This map shows you wave directions as they hit UK and European shores. ee if you can work out the difference between wave direction on the West coast oif Britian compa1red with the East.

3. Click here to find out what tides are, and what casues them

4. This small animation is superb! It demonstrates Longshore drift simply.

5. Same web site (the SW grid for learning) - shows the Devon coast line and you can click for more informations on sections of it - give yourself a tour...

6. Go here to view the different coastal processes at work. (SWGFL again)

7. BBC Bite size revision - check knowledge and test

8. The Internet Geography website is good for geography GCSE revision. Try this link for the excellent section on coasts.

9. Try the S-Cool site for coastal revision too.

10. Holderness Coastal Erosion

11. All you need to know about Coastal Erosion at Holderness

12. A good selection of photos of Holderness