Case Study: The Holderness Coast (UK)
Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 2.1.7
Coastal Erosion in Holderness
The Holderness coast is located next to the city of Hull in the north-east of England. Each year, the Holderness Coast retreats 1-2 metres. The area is particularly vulnerable to erosion because of:
Strong prevailing winds
- Strong prevailing winds create destructive waves that can do more damage to the coast.
- The prevailing winds also mean that any eroded material moves away from the place that was eroded (leaving the soft rock exposed).
Clay cliffs
- The Holderness Coast is made of boulder clay.
- This is very soft and easy to erode.
- Heavy rainfall can cause mass movements in the boulder clay cliffs.
Test yourself on Case Study: The Holderness Coast (UK)
How far does the Holderness coast retreat every year?
What are the cliffs of the Holderness coast made up of?
Which of the following is true of the Holderness coast?
Why is the Holderness coast so vulnerable to erosion?