The purpose of this study is to measure and explain the coastal processes occurring at Walton-on-the-Naze.

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The purpose of this study is to measure and explain the coastal processes occurring at Walton-on-the-Naze.

We have chosen this particular area because it has a good rate of coastal retreat. The evidence for this is that there is plenty of bare soil which suggests that there has not been enough time for the vegetation to grow back. This means that the erosion must happen every few months.

I have included explanations of the ways that this has been combated:

. Vegetation

2. Rip Wrap

3. Drainage

4. Cliff Grading

5. Groynes

6. Sea Wall

7. Breakwaters

These are the technical terms used in the explanations of the sea defences:

Erosion: this is when rocks are worn away by the sea. Can end up forming new land structures.

Weathering: things can be weathered in three different ways, Physical Weathering, Biological Weathering and Chemical Weathering.

Mass Movement: when material moves down a slope affected by the pull of gravity.

Transportation: this is when material is transported by rivers or seas.

My aim in this investigation is to investigate the different factors affecting the rate of retreat of the Walton-on-the-Naze coastline. This will include clear diagrams and graphs of the information.

My aims are:

* To investigate and explain the rate of retreat;

* To investigate how the character of the waves and sea affects the rate of retreat;

* To investigate how transportation affects the rate of retreat;

* To investigate how the nature of the beach affects the rate of retreat;

* To investigate the nature and effectiveness of coastal defences.

The objectives are:

. To investigate how the nature of the cliffs affects the rate of retreat;

2. To investigate how the character of the waves/sea affects the rate of retreat;

3. To investigate how transportation affects the rate of retreat;

4. To investigate how the nature of the beach affects the rate of retreat;

5. To investigate the nature and effectiveness of coastal defences.

Objective One: To investigate how the nature of the cliffs affects the rate of retreat.

This will include a method about how I found out about the geology and the structure of the cliff, how I measured or estimated the height of the cliffs and how I calculated the volume of material removed from the beach.

I will draw an annotated section of the cliff, a table to explain the characteristics of the different rocks in the cliff, a series of cross sections to show the height of the cliff and the volume of material at different points on the beach.

I will tell you what each diagram and graph shows and how each aspect contributes to coastal retreat.

Objective Two: To investigate how the character of the waves/sea affects the rate of retreat.

This will include an explanation of how I measured wave crest and trough. For example how far out in the sea did I stand? What equipment did I use? How many readings did I take? And why?

Also an explanation of how I measured wave frequency. How long did I count for? Why?

I will also explain how I calculated other aspects such as water depth and wave energy. I will include the factors that could and did affect my results.

I will include a table to include the data collected and calculated.

Objective Three: To investigate how transportation affects the rate of retreat.

I will describe and explain the two methods I used and why. I will illustrate the cork method in a diagram. I will justify the methods used, outline the factors influencing your results, and outline the limitations of our methods and equipment. In these I will include reference to the tide, season of the year, weather conditions and fetch.

I will summarise and explain what each diagram and graph shows and how each aspect contributes to coastal retreat.

Objective Four: To investigate how the nature of the beach affects the rate of retreat.

I will describe and explain how I used the ranging poles, measuring tape, clinometer, spade and metre rule to complete the transect. I will include reference to the tide, season of the year and weather conditions.

I will draw a slope profile diagram to show the variations of the angles on the beach.

I will summarise and explain what the profile diagram shows, I will also explain how the beach angle and depth affect erosion and therefore the rate of coastal retreat.
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Objective Five: To investigate the nature and effectiveness of coastal defences.

I will describe and explain how I collected the information used in this objective and drew diagrams. I will outline all the factors influencing my results and outline the limitations of my methods and equipment.

To investigate how the nature of the cliffs affects the rate retreat

Data Required

For this objective we needed to collect the following data:

* The geology of the cliffs was studied as an aspect of this objective,

* The height of the cliffs was ...

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