Coasts Case Studies

Low Energy Environment - The Nile Delta

The Nile Delta is classed as a low energy environment as rates of fluvial deposition haved exceeded erosion for 3000 years. 

The delta has three sub-units - the foreshore plain (characterised by elongated ridges alternated with lagoons and salt marshes), the frontal plain (south of the foreshore plain, has scattered eroded limestone crops) and the sandy zone (composed of a variety of different sand formations such as sheets and dunes. 

The delta splits into distributaries at Cairo, 160km inland. 

Nearshore Feautres = underwater sandbars which are typical of tideless seas.

The building of the Aswan Dam has impacted on the sediment in the Nile. Amount of sediment has dropped from 120 tonnes a year to only traces. 

This reduction in sediment is leading to increased rates of erosion and accelerated coastal retreat. 

Another factor influencing this environment is the rising sea levels in the Mediterranean sea which has contributed further to high rates of erosion. This is because deeper water produces larger waves with more energy. 

High energy environment - Saltburn to Flamborough Head (Yorkshire)

This is a 60km long rock, upland area which displays many coastal landforms.

North York Moors are mainly limestone, shales and sandstones.

Flamborough head is a large chalk headland. The cliffs are topped with till deposites left behind by glaciers.

The highest energy area is…