Mappleton’s geology is soft “till”, a fine silt and
gravel material deposited by the glaciers that once
covered this area, some 18,000 years ago..
Erosion rates are 2 metres a year on this stretch of
the coastline. Average erosion rates around the UK
are only a few mm a year.
1n 1991 £2 million was spent on a rock groyne and
revetment barrier in front of Mappleton
The B1242 runs north through Mappleton to
Hornsea
The government has a policy on managed retreat
along some stretches of Britain’s coastline
Only very valuable land is likely to be protected in
future due to cost-benefit analysis.
A substantial beach has developed in front of
Mappleton
South of Mappleton the beach has gone
South of Mappleton the erosion rate has been up to
20 m a year in some places
29 villages have disappeared into the sea along the
Holderness coastline since Roman times
There are no coastal defences near Great Cowden
Even in a neap tide (the lowest monthly tide) the
sea reaches the base of the cliff
The movement of longshore drift in this area is
north – south.