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High - energy coastal environment: Saltburn to Flamborough Head - Coggle…
High - energy coastal environment: Saltburn to Flamborough Head
Context
60 km long coastal environment between Saltburn and Flamborough Head (yorkshire)
Displays many coastal landforms and its characteristics reflect the high energy wave environment it recieves.
geology
Alternating rock types between the two areas (discordant coast?
Northern end: The north york moors are compromised of mainly sandstone (sedimentary rock).
Flamborough head (the southern end of the coastline) is a chalk headland. Spans 10km into the north sea.
Differences in rock type are responsible for the formation of headlands (such as flamborough head) and bays throughout the stretch of coastline. It has also formed high cliffs, such as the north york moor cliffs which extend up to 400m.
energy
Waves
Originate from the north and northeast.
High energy with a fetch of over 1500km.
Areas that are north facing, particularly Saltburn, receive the highest inputs of wave energy.
Wave height often exceeds 4m, even during summer months.
Erosion rates (from waves)
Rates of erosion are effected by variations in resistance in geologies.
Areas with weak shale and clay experience erosion rates of 0.8m a year on average.
Areas with more resistant sand and limestone experience rates less than 0.1m a year.
Longshore drift
Takes place from north to south
In some places is interrupted by headlands: where sand and shingle accumulate to form beaches in the bays (such as in Filey bay)
Sediment sources
Sediment cell
Saltburn - flamborough head sits in the sub cell 1d which is in the major sediment cell 1 (from south scotland to flamborough head).
Nearshore: some sediment has been driven onshore as sea levels rose at the end of the last glacial period.
Cliff erosion: destructive waves which erode the resistant rock outcrops.
Fluvial sediment: supplies limited amount of sediment. The river Esk flows into the north sea at Whitby, and is limited by the construction of weirs and reinforced banks along its course.
Overall there has been a net increase in sediment (9245m3) from 2008 to 2011.
Cliffs
Sedimentary rocks are horizontally bedded which contributes to the vertical cliff face.
Cliffs at flamborough are made of tightly bonded chalk, which is physically very strong.
Cliffs in the south are vertical with a height of 20-30m. In the northern part they are much higher.
Northern cliffs are also stepped which reflects a varied geology.
Shore platforms
Cliffs are retreating due to high erosion which causes rocky shore platforms.
Example: robins hood bay, eroded into lower shales.
Angle is typically 1 degrees but can reach 15.
Headlands and bays
Discordant coastline has led to a series of headlands and bays being formed.
Examples:
Flamborough head: formed of chalk with bays either side made of Clay.
Filey Bay has developed in the band of weak clay and is surrounded by more resistant limestone and chalk.
Landforms on Headlands
Wave energy is concentrated on resistant headlands that extend into the north sea.
Weaknesses are exploited by the erosive action of the waves, enlarging them to form caves and arches.
Examples: