Walton on the Naze

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                     Introduction

For my coursework I will study coastal erosion on the Walton-on-the-Naze cliffs in Essex. This is a coastal resort located about 10 miles from Frinton-on-Sea and is a two hour drive from North London. The aim of the study is to investigate the differences in beach characteristics in the managed and unmanaged sections of the beach at Walton-on-Naze. I have chosen to study this topic of coastal erosion in order to identify variations in beach characteristics and how badly and sea walls cliffs can erode in the past years. If they lack protection like groynes. Our visit to Walton-on-the-Naze came on 21st May 2008. It was a good idea to do it just at the beginning of the summer because there not would be too many tourists to interfere with our progress but the weather would still most likely be good which would help to gather and record accurate results.

(This the map of Essex in which Walton-on-the-Naze is located)

I am interested in the difference in the beach characteristics between the managed and unmanaged sections, the probable processes operating there and in whether the council should consider changing or adding to its sea defences in this area

Geology plays an important part in how the cliffs are eroded at Walton-on-the-Naze so I will describe how this happens.

Slumped material effectively helps to protect the cliff in the short term or long term if it can be coloruzed by vegetation. However it is generally taken away by the action of long-shore drift, and the whole process starts again. The erosion of the relatively unresistant cliff materials at Walton-on-the-Naze has led to the need for a sea wall, groynes and other defences to protect the town and tourist interests of Walton-on-the-Naze. However tendring Council has only used these defences in what I will call the managed section of the coast because the town has directly behind it the unmanaged coast to the north and its cliff are unprotected because there is no settlement behind and it is not considered economically sound (cost effective) to build defences there.

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                       What is Coastal Erosion?

Erosion is when wind, water, and ice wear away the of land. Sediment is made of rocks, dirt, and earth. Erosion by wind action occurs mostly on beaches and in deserts, because there is no continuous vegetation or plants.   Wave erosion, which occurs along beaches and coasts, such as Walton-on-the-Naze is caused by the impact of breaking waves on the shore and cliffs. Both wind action and water action have important parts in this process and constantly help to change the boundary between land and water. Coastal erosion takes ...

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