Context

• What are the 3 distinctive coastal units of the Holderness Coastline?

  1. Flamborough Head in the north - chalk area which exhibits many typical landforms associated with coastal erosion.
  2. Bridlington Bay to Spurn Head - an extensive zone of erosion and sediment transfer characterised by a very rapid rate of cliff retreat.
  3. Spurn Head - spit formed at the estuary of the River Humber.
• What is the main input of the sub cell?

  Erosion of the weak and unconsolidated till cliffs.
• What is the output of this sub cell?

  Linear sediment washed offshore
• What is the transfer of this sub cell?

  Coarser material is moved southwards involving longshore drift
• Some sediments are deposited to form Spurn Head whilst a significant amount continues south towards East Anglia.
• What are the factors affecting the coastal system?

  • Geology - chalk is a fairly resistant rock, stretching from the Lincolnshire Wolds in the south to the coast at Flamborough Head.
  • Wind - winds from the North East, over the North Sea (direction of greatest fetch), it can drive powerful waves towards the Holderness Coast.
• Areas of low pressure move down the North Sea, funnelling water and creating storm surges several metres high. These low-frequency, high magnitude events can lead to significant erosion and flooding.