Depositional features – the sandy beach and the stony bay between Marsden rock and the mainland
Location 3: Trow point
Erosional features – the retreat of the infill shoreline along Trow quarry caves and the wave cut notch at the foot of the cliffs featuring Trow point.
Depositional Features
A small sandy beach at the Gibson’s sands and a much wider sandy beach to the north of Trow point stretching past gypsies green.
Location 4: Gypsies green to amusement park
Erosional features – only the blow out of from sand dunes
Depositional features- the large wide beach
1 2 3 4
Interpretation
Wave cut notches along this section of the coast are mainly caused by Hydraulic action I think.
A wave cut notch is formed between high and low tides. It is attacked by the waves and worn through.
The rock above the wave cut notch falls under its own weight and collapses this forms a wave cut platform. This is probably how they were formed all along this section of the coast.
The caves along this section of the coast are most probably caused by hydraulic action also.
The water may get into a crack in the cave with air, and expand weakening and eventually breaking the cliff. This eventually forms a cave which is probably ones I seen along here.
As I explained earlier, other features were probably formed by continuing the process.
With this evidence I have came to the conclusion that there was more than sufficient evidence for coastal erosion and deposition.
This section of the north east coast has many examples of them many of which I seen and taken evidence.
Evaluation
I think my results were fairly accurate. There was some very good evidence with wave cut notches, platforms, caves cracks and beaches and an excellent view of a stack and arch. The sketches provide some excellent evidence of these although I think more evidence would have been helpful for answering questions. If I was to try and answer this again I would try and gain more evidence or go when some places have lower tides
I overall think my evidence for answering this question was of high quality.
On the previous table is shows my estimation of the cliff height and beach length. We had no equipment so there estimations were probably highly inaccurate although evidence of features was strong with sketches to show I was there and what I seen. Overall I think this was a fairly successful answer to this question, with both strong and weak points.
Does the size of beach material change with the distance from the base of the cliff?
My aim was to find as much evidence for the changing of beach material size as possible particularly taking notice of the difference in size between the base of the cliff and the waters edge.
Background
I expect to find larger material at the base of the cliff than at the waters edge. I expect this because I know the material which is closest to the sea will be moved nearly constantly by the waves in the swash and the backwash.
Over time this will break material down to its smallest particle seize
Further away from the sea the material may only be reached at high tides twice a day, or in some storm tides. This material will take longer to break down, in theory then the material nearer the cliff should be larger than the material nearer the sea.
Method
When I arrived at each location I referred to my tables which had eight rows. I then counted how many paces it was from the base of the cliff to the sea. Actually it was not right next to the base of the cliff it was several metres away for safety reasons. We then shared the amount of paces by eight.
Whatever number this was, was the amount of paces I took. After each amount of paces I picked up a sample of rock as close to me as possible and measured its dimensions. My expectations were to see the numbers get smaller as the distance from the cliff increases. I collected my data in spring with clearer weather conditions
The following pages show my results in tables, and then in graphs I have used the 3 dimensions to calculate the volume of the sample. I used the volume because it gives me a representation of the mass of the sample and mass is what affects the amount of transportation of the sample.
I may change from volume to area in several places but they all mean VOLUME.
Marsden Beach
Beach near Souter lighthouse
Trow point
Interpretation
My results show on the Marsden beach graph overall that the size decreases as the distance from the cliff increases. But there are several points which do not fit the pattern. At 6metres and 8metres away the area is much larger than elsewhere. These points show inaccuracy, and in a way show my prediction wrong.
On the graph to show Trow point there is an overall show that the results drop as distance increases, but the last point is not in the pattern. It is higher than 400, the rest are below 200. This also contradicts my prediction.
The graph of the beach near Souter lighthouse is quite the opposite of what I expected. It shows a large rise, then a significant drop in the size of rocks. It then slowly increases again. The total areas of the rocks on this graph were quite low. Referring back to the question I am trying to answer, my results show that indeed the rock size does change, but not always how I expected. The change is different in all of our locations; there is an increase at the beach near Souter lighthouse, a peak and trough at Trow point and an overall drop at Marsden beach. I have reached the conclusion that the rock size does in fact change quite drastically, in different ways at different locations.
Evaluation
My data I collected I consider to be highly unreliable. The results for the beach near Souter lighthouse were quite the opposite of what I expected to find. The location of the beach though was enclosed between many cliffs and headland; it was a very small beach. I think maybe these have eroded and larger rocks have fell from these and been deposited near the front and the middle of the beach. This would answer the odd patterns in my results. My results from Trow point were mostly more accurate apart from 2 points, but theses overall shows a significant decrease in size, from base of cliff. Many of the errors I believe could have been from human’s interruption. Many tourists and people walking across the locations could have moved rocks, maybe by kicking them, or dogs could have done it. There are many reasons for the results I gained. At the beach near Souter lighthouse, the tide was very strong and there were cliffs and headland all around the beach. These could easily have been eroded and landed in the middle or front of beach, this would account for my strange results. If I done it again, I would do each set of results at least 3 times, then work out an average, this may have made my results more reliable.
I have come to the conclusion that the size of the rock from the base of the cliff does in face change, but there is no steady pattern and my prediction for two of the locations was wrong.
Is there any evidence of coastal management along this section of the north east coast?
My aim was to find evidence of coastal management along the north east coast.
Coastal management can involve “hard engineering” and “soft” options which may be more difficult to see. The four locations may be expected to have different amounts and types of management because they are so varied.
Background
There are many ways of protecting land from the sea.
1 Sea walls – made of stone or concrete
Reflects waves and withstands waves breaking on it.
2. Revetment - a sloping concrete wall that is laid like a carpet along the coast
3. Gabions- strong wire baskets filled with stones that gradually get covered with grass and sand
4. Groynes- a low wall built out into the sea that traps sand and reduces erosion.
5. Rip-Rap
Large interlocking man – made boulders which protect the coast by breaking up the waves.
6. Beach rebuilding replaces material lost by erosion each year. Regular replacement is needed though
7. Offshore breakwater
Located in sea below water mark.
May be dumped interlocking material of concrete wall. Protects shore from all waves.
Most local authorities do not have any interest in anywhere apart from its own coastline, so often protection can result in large amounts of erosion in other locations.
Method
At each location I answered and recorded in a table.
The following table shows what I seen at each location.
z
The fencing at location 1 was for safety to stop people falling. Drainage was for sea water and excess rain around headland. There was warning signs at location 1 as well. The grass had been cut and there was a large car park and footpath.
At location 2 there were railings and warning signs and several paths. They were most probably there because the cliffs were high and unsafe. We also saw some men working with chainsaws. They were cutting off dangerous stair reinforcements because it was coming near the summer when a larger increase of visitors comes.
At location 3 there was drainage and signs again, most likely for same reasons as the other. At location 4 there were groynes for breaking the sea.
Conclusion
Location one showed the most evidence of coastal management in both areas, location 4 had no evidence for cliff top management but there were groynes. This is probably because thee were no cliffs to look after. This is an area which is looked after because it is a major tourist area it has rides and parks, this is probably why there is groynes.
I came to the conclusion that there is evidence for coastal management along this section of the coast and it varies from each location because of the differences in management needed.
Evaluation
I think my results were quite good if I wanted really good data I could have contacted the local council and asked them for some information I could also have taken photographs on the day. Overall this was I feel, quite a successful answer to this question. There was indeed evidence for coastal management.
How has the landscape area been used for recreational activities/tourist attractions?
I am attempting to find out how the landscape has been used for recreational activities.
Method
We collected as much information as possible on the locations we visited from libraries and revisiting the areas in our own time.
We collected it by research into tourism e.g. libraries and tourist info. We also collected our own data by visiting the sites. WE collected the data in the middle of the summer on a Friday at approximately 3pn
This information was to help us identify how the land has been used for recreational activities and tourist attractions.
Results
Location 1. At this location there weren’t any real signs of recreational use but the grass was neatly trimmed and a public walkway with drainage was visible. There was Souter lighthouse also.
Location 2. At Marsden rock there was quite a lot of evidence for recreational activity
There was a pub called Marsden grotto (refer to information page) built into the rocks. There were many steps from the cliff top to the beach. The Marsden rock is a big tourist attraction. The headland is cared for with a public walkway.
Location 3. There were large rocks purposely placed for viewing, a small beach also.
ON the headland there is a seat bench, and neatly cut grass with railings and a nice view. This area appeared to be for walks and cycling.
Location 4. This area has two large beaches frequently used by public. It had pubs on the sea front like sundial and a large pleasure park and the rattler public house.
There were 2 parks on with pedalos and children’s items and the other which is used for a large festival.
Interpretation
Looking at the locations we visited I think there was not very much evidence for recreational activities at points 1 and 3. There were simply the footpaths. At location 2 there was evidence for both tourism and recreational activities with Marsden grotto. At location 4 there were many examples of recreational activities like the 3 parks and Pleasure Park These were major tourist attractions also.
This area didn’t have much evidence for these on the whole.
Evaluation
If I was to answer this question again I would maybe contact local authorities and ask them about different recreational activities and tourist attractions.
I would also study the locations in more depth and possible a tourist count. I think this wasn’t a very successful answer to the question maybe due to lack of information.