Investigating the Geographical Processes that are Affecting the Physical and Built Coastal Environment

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Investigating the Geographical Processes that are Affecting the Physical and Built Coastal Environment

There are three geographical processes that are affecting the physical

and built coastal environment, they are; erosion, deposition, and

transportation. Erosion is the group of natural processes, including

weathering, dissolution, abrasion, corrosion, and transportation, by

which material is worn away from the earth’s surface, this is mainly

caused by wind, running water, and waves breaking on the coast.

Deposition is the depositing something or the laying down of matter by

a natural process. Transportation is when sand is moved along the

coast by long shore drift.

At North Cronulla beach erosion is evident. It is being managed by the

local council in two different ways. These include; a rip-rap wall,

dune stabilization. The rip-rap wall consists of large rocks which

have been piled up at an angle. Behind the rip-rap wall the land use

is mainly commercial, but there is also some residential land-use.

This method has been used because human land-use is right on top of

the ocean, and in order to defend these buildings a hard option is

required. There are many things working together to ensure Dune

stabilization. These include; re-vegetation, fences, poly-mesh

fencing, planked walkways, and controlled pedestrian access. This

method is a softer option than the rip-rap wall and is used because

human land-use, which at this place consists mainly of recreational

buildings, is far away from the ocean. Deposition is also being

managed at North Cronulla beach. Dune stabilization is being used to

prevent deposited material from being eroded away.

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