An Investigation in to the coastal process and management at the Suffolk coastal town of Southwold.
... Hydraulic action – this is where the pressure of the water is thrown against the cliffs by the waves. Corrasion – this is where materials such as sand and pebbles are carried by the waves and are thrownagainst the cliff with force. Corrosion – this is where a chemical reaction between certain rock types, the salt and other acids in seawater. The hypothesis is to be tested is: Southwolds sea defenses are successfully stopping coastal erosion. The aims are: 1. To identify Southwold Sea defenses and to find out weather they are protecting the town. 2. To find out the public views on the defenses. To meet the aims these objectives need to be met: 1. Find out the types of defenses present at Southwold. 2. Look at nature on the beach at defended and undefended sites. 3. Find out public opinion. Location: The map below shows the place of study, which is Southwold, within its region. (Map) The map below shows the local areas of Southwold. Background toSouthwold Southwold is situated on the Suffolk coast, what used to be a small village that relied on fishing, and as a market for local produce, then changed when railways were introduced, this increased the tourism, and more business but the railway soon closed and the growth went down. Now Southwold is a quiet resort, with a high tourist number. The main attraction is the small town and the beach, especially in summer where the population increases. Small businesses such as small shops, cafes, hotels and guesthouses etc. rely on tourists for their income. Southwold is very popular as a second home location for mainly retired people but also wealthy people moving from London. – Data collection In order to meet the objectives set out in the introduction, I need to collect information on the nature of the beach, the type of defenses, evidence of erosion and what people think about the issue. To collect information we are going to do some simple experiments in the town of Southwold at three points along the beach. The three locations where I shall do my experiments are: Site A – North of the town, Site B – Middle of the town, Site C – Southern end of the town. I done it at these three sites because: Site A - was where the defenses had finished, Site B - was the defended part, Site C - was again slightly undefended. The first object is to keep my eye open for any evidence of erosion for example: Cracks in the cliffs and sea walls to show hydraulic action. (photo 1) Small holes or indents, which may have been caused by pebbles being thrown up during a storm to show abrasion or corrasion. (photo 2) Rusting of iron work on groynes and pier legs to show corrosion, (phot...