Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-15-coastal-defences-hard-engineering [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [IGCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse.md) › [Geography](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography.md) › [Edexcel IGCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse.md) › Coastal Defences: Hard Engineering # Coastal Defences: Hard Engineering Geography: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 1.2.15 ## Coastal Defences - Hard Engineering Hard engineering strategies to protect coastlines use man-made constructions to protect the coastline from the sea's erosion and destructive waves. Hard engineering can also be used to stop the sea or rivers from flooding areas. Examples of hard engineering strategies are: ### Sea walls ![Sea walls](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/8c14fe32-2503-4aef-bd15-823c6ffd82a6/shutterstock_232808302%20(2).jpg) - Sea walls are made out of materials that block waves. - Making them out of hard rock or materials like concrete means that they are more resilient and last longer. - Their shape can be designed to reflect a wave's power back out to sea, instead of being absorbed by the sea wall head-on. - Sea walls can protect promenades from flooding and can reduce coastal erosion. - Sea walls cost a lot of money and have to be built all along a town's coastline to protect the town. ### Rock armour ![Rock armour](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/7081ea1c-1fbb-4f98-875d-70d494913226/shutterstock_797074513.jpg) - Rock armour is simply a pile of rocks or boulders. - The rocks absorb some of the pressure and energy transferred by waves. - Enormous waves can remove the boulders, but they are a very cheap form of coastal protection. ### Gabions ![Gabions](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/744cd8b8-1ff0-4102-97be-b7dbbd3e279d/shutterstock_752396056.jpg) - Gabions are wire cages full of boulders and rocks. - The gabions absorb some of the pressure and energy transferred by waves. - This leads to less erosion, but the wire in the cages is corroded over time. ### Groynes ![Groynes](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/1ead36f1-b7fc-422a-8c51-1664203caeff/shutterstock_786792388.jpg) - Groynes are fences that stick out at 90o to the coast. - Groynes stop the process of longshore drift by trapping material against the fence. - Groynes create wide beaches, which are better for protecting the coastline from erosion and floods. - Building fences is also cheap. ## Test yourself on Coastal Defences: Hard Engineering - What are the costs of sea walls? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/ef6d2f62-5eb8-4168-aaaf-48efdb77968e/section/3df74907-7b42-4fd8-940b-053e3b230b49/session) - Previous topic: [1.2.14 Human Activity on Coasts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-14-human-activity-on-coasts.md) - Next topic: [1.2.16 Coastal Defences: Soft Engineering](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-16-coastal-defences-soft-engineering.md) ## Geography: Edexcel IGCSE contents ### 1 Physical Geography - 1.1 River Environments - [1.1.1 Weathering](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-1-weathering.md) - [1.1.2 Mass Movement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-2-mass-movement.md) - [1.1.3 Erosion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-3-erosion.md) - [1.1.4 Transportation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-4-transportation.md) - [1.1.5 Deposition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-5-deposition.md) - [1.1.6 River Landforms: Waterfalls & Gorges](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-6-river-landforms-waterfalls-and-gorges.md) - [1.1.7 River Landforms: Interlocking Spurs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-7-river-landforms-interlocking-spurs.md) - [1.1.8 River Landforms: Flood Plains](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-8-river-landforms-flood-plains.md) - [1.1.9 River Landforms: Point Bars](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-9-river-landforms-point-bars.md) - [1.1.10 River Landforms: Levees](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-10-river-landforms-levees.md) - [1.1.11 River Landforms: Meanders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-11-river-landforms-meanders.md) - [1.1.12 River Landforms: Oxbow Lakes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-12-river-landforms-oxbow-lakes.md) - [1.1.13 River Landscape Changes: Long Profile](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-13-river-landscape-changes-long-profile.md) - [1.1.14 River Landscape Changes: Cross Profile](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-14-river-landscape-changes-cross-profile.md) - [1.1.15 Vertical & Lateral Erosion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-15-vertical-and-lateral-erosion.md) - [1.1.16 Flood Risk Factors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-16-flood-risk-factors.md) - [1.1.17 Human Activities on Rivers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-17-human-activities-on-rivers.md) - [1.1.18 River Management: Hard Engineering](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-18-river-management-hard-engineering.md) - [1.1.19 River Management: Soft Engineering](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-19-river-management-soft-engineering.md) - [1.1.20 Case Study: The River Eden - Landforms](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-20-case-study-the-river-eden-landforms.md) - [1.1.21 Case Study: The River Eden - Climate](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-21-case-study-the-river-eden-climate.md) - [1.1.22 Case Study: The River Eden - Geology](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-22-case-study-the-river-eden-geology.md) - [1.1.23 Case Study: The River Eden - Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-23-case-study-the-river-eden-management.md) - [1.1.24 Case Study: The River Eden - Human Activity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-24-case-study-the-river-eden-human-activity.md) - [1.1.25 End of Topic Test - River Environments](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-1-25-end-of-topic-test-river-environments.md) - 1.2 Coastal Environments - [1.2.1 Weathering](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-1-weathering.md) - [1.2.2 Mass Movement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-2-mass-movement.md) - [1.2.3 Erosion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-3-erosion.md) - [1.2.4 Deposition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-4-deposition.md) - [1.2.5 Longshore Drift](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-5-longshore-drift.md) - [1.2.6 Sediment Transportation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-6-sediment-transportation.md) - [1.2.7 Wave Action on Coasts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-7-wave-action-on-coasts.md) - [1.2.8 Other Factors Influencing Coasts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-8-other-factors-influencing-coasts.md) - [1.2.9 Coastal Landforms: Wave-cut Platforms & Cliffs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-9-coastal-landforms-wave-cut-platforms-and-cliffs.md) - [1.2.10 Coastal Landforms: Headlands & Bays](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-10-coastal-landforms-headlands-and-bays.md) - [1.2.11 Coastal Landforms: Caves, Arches & Stacks](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-11-coastal-landforms-caves-arches-and-stacks.md) - [1.2.12 Coastal Deposition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-12-coastal-deposition.md) - [1.2.13 Spits, Bars & Sand Dunes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-13-spits-bars-and-sand-dunes.md) - [1.2.14 Human Activity on Coasts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-14-human-activity-on-coasts.md) - [1.2.15 Coastal Defences: Hard Engineering](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-15-coastal-defences-hard-engineering.md) - [1.2.16 Coastal Defences: Soft Engineering](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-16-coastal-defences-soft-engineering.md) - [1.2.17 Coastal Defences: Managed Retreat](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-17-coastal-defences-managed-retreat.md) - [1.2.18 Case Study: Holderness Coast Overview](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-18-case-study-holderness-coast-overview.md) - [1.2.19 Case Study: Holderness Coast Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-19-case-study-holderness-coast-management.md) - [1.2.20 Case Study: Holderness Coast Defences](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-20-case-study-holderness-coast-defences.md) - [1.2.21 End of Topic Test - Coastal Environments](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-2-21-end-of-topic-test-coastal-environments.md) - 1.3 Hazardous Environments - Tropical Cyclones - [1.3.1 Characteristics of a Tropical Cyclone](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-1-characteristics-of-a-tropical-cyclone.md) - [1.3.2 Structure of a Tropical Cyclone](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-2-structure-of-a-tropical-cyclone.md) - [1.3.3 Physical Hazards of Tropical Cyclones](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-3-physical-hazards-of-tropical-cyclones.md) - [1.3.4 The Impacts of Tropical Cyclones](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-4-the-impacts-of-tropical-cyclones.md) - [1.3.5 Responses to Tropical Cyclones](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-5-responses-to-tropical-cyclones.md) - [1.3.6 Vulnerability to Tropical Cyclones](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-6-vulnerability-to-tropical-cyclones.md) - [1.3.7 Preparing for Tropical Cyclones](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-7-preparing-for-tropical-cyclones.md) - [1.3.8 Case Study: Katrina](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-8-case-study-katrina.md) - [1.3.9 Case Study: Nargis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-3-9-case-study-nargis.md) - 1.4 Hazardous Environments - Earthquakes & Volcanoes - [1.4.1 Earthquakes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-1-earthquakes.md) - [1.4.2 Features of an Earthquake](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-2-features-of-an-earthquake.md) - [1.4.3 Types of Earthquake](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-3-types-of-earthquake.md) - [1.4.4 Case Study: L'Aquila](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-4-case-study-laquila.md) - [1.4.5 Case Study: Chile](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-5-case-study-chile.md) - [1.4.6 Case Study: Japan & Pakistan - Planning](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-6-case-study-japan-and-pakistan-planning.md) - [1.4.7 Volcanoes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-7-volcanoes.md) - [1.4.8 Types of Volcanoes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-8-types-of-volcanoes.md) - [1.4.9 Volcanic Eruptions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/1-4-9-volcanic-eruptions.md) ### 2 Human Geography - 2.1 Economic Activity & Energy - [2.1.1 Increasing Energy Consumption](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-1-1-increasing-energy-consumption.md) - [2.1.2 Non-Renewable Energy - Nuclear](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-1-2-non-renewable-energy-nuclear.md) - [2.1.3 Non-Renewable Energy - Fossil Fuels](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-1-3-non-renewable-energy-fossil-fuels.md) - [2.1.4 Renewable Energy - Solar](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-1-4-renewable-energy-solar.md) - [2.1.5 Renewable Energy - Water & Bio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-1-5-renewable-energy-water-and-bio.md) - [2.1.6 Renewable Energy - Hydro](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-1-6-renewable-energy-hydro.md) - [2.1.7 Energy - Statistical Skills](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-1-7-energy-statistical-skills.md) - 2.2 Rural Environments - [2.2.1 Rainforests](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-2-1-rainforests.md) - [2.2.2 Temperate Forests](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-2-2-temperate-forests.md) - [2.2.3 Characteristics of a Temperate Forest](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-2-3-characteristics-of-a-temperate-forest.md) - [2.2.4 Goods & Services in Temperate Forests](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-2-4-goods-and-services-in-temperate-forests.md) - [2.2.5 Deserts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-2-5-deserts.md) - [2.2.6 Tundra](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-2-6-tundra.md) - 2.3 Urban Environments - [2.3.1 Urbanisation in Different Countries](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-3-1-urbanisation-in-different-countries.md) - [2.3.2 Causes of Urbanisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-3-2-causes-of-urbanisation.md) - [2.3.3 Consequences of Urbanisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-3-3-consequences-of-urbanisation.md) - [2.3.4 Sustainable Urbanisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-3-4-sustainable-urbanisation.md) - [2.3.5 Case Study: Rapid Urbanisation in Mexico City](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-3-5-case-study-rapid-urbanisation-in-mexico-city.md) - [2.3.6 End of Topic Test - Urbanisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/2-3-6-end-of-topic-test-urbanisation.md) ### 3 Global Issues - 3.1 Fragile Environments & Climate Change - [3.1.1 Natural Causes of Climate Change](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-1-1-natural-causes-of-climate-change.md) - [3.1.2 Effects of Climate Change on the Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-1-2-effects-of-climate-change-on-the-environment.md) - [3.1.3 Effects of Climate Change on People](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-1-3-effects-of-climate-change-on-people.md) - [3.1.4 Impacts of Deforestation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-1-4-impacts-of-deforestation.md) - [3.1.5 End of Topic Test - Climate Change](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-1-5-end-of-topic-test-climate-change.md) - [3.1.6 Increasing Water Supply](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-1-6-increasing-water-supply.md) - [3.1.7 Sustainable Rainforest Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-1-7-sustainable-rainforest-management.md) - 3.2 Globalisation & Migration - [3.2.1 Globalisation - Transport](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-1-globalisation-transport.md) - [3.2.2 Globalisation - Communication Networks & Banking](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-2-globalisation-communication-networks-and-banking.md) - [3.2.3 Push & Pull Factors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-3-push-and-pull-factors.md) - [3.2.4 TNCs & Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-4-tncs-and-globalisation.md) - [3.2.5 Tourism Landscapes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-5-tourism-landscapes.md) - [3.2.6 The Growth of Tourism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-6-the-growth-of-tourism.md) - [3.2.7 The Economic Benefits of Tourism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-7-the-economic-benefits-of-tourism.md) - [3.2.8 The Social & Cultural Benefits of Tourism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-8-the-social-and-cultural-benefits-of-tourism.md) - [3.2.9 The Economic Costs of Tourism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-9-the-economic-costs-of-tourism.md) - [3.2.10 The Social & Cultural Costs of Tourism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-10-the-social-and-cultural-costs-of-tourism.md) - [3.2.11 Managing Tourism - Sustainability](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-11-managing-tourism-sustainability.md) - [3.2.12 Managing Tourism - Quotas & Tourism Hubs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-2-12-managing-tourism-quotas-and-tourism-hubs.md) - 3.3 Development & Human Welfare - [3.3.1 Ways of Defining Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-3-1-ways-of-defining-development.md) - [3.3.2 Different Ways of Measuring Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-3-2-different-ways-of-measuring-development.md) - [3.3.3 Environmental Factors Causing Uneven Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-3-3-environmental-factors-causing-uneven-development.md) - [3.3.4 Historical Factors Causing Uneven Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-3-4-historical-factors-causing-uneven-development.md) - [3.3.5 Economic Factors Causing Uneven Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-3-5-economic-factors-causing-uneven-development.md) - [3.3.6 Patterns of Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-3-6-patterns-of-development.md) - [3.3.7 How Can we Reduce the Global Development Gap?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-3-7-how-can-we-reduce-the-global-development-gap.md) - [3.3.8 Top-Down & Bottom-Up Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/geography/edexcel-igcse/3-3-8-top-down-and-bottom-up-development.md)