Table of Contents
What is the cause of erosion at the Happisburgh coast?
In winter, erosion caused by groundwater as seen in the gullying of the cliff face, coupled with increased seasonal storminess, causes small-scale, frequent, shallow landsliding in the Happisburgh Sand Member.
What is the problem in Happisburgh?
Erosion in Happisburgh is a long-term problem The North Sea has been eating away at Happisburgh’s cliffs for 5,000 years. Estimates put the average historical rate of erosion at somewhere between one and three feet per year, according to Catherine Pennington, a geologist with the British Geological Survey.
Is Happisburgh falling into the sea?
The residents of tiny Happisburgh (pronounced Haisbro) know they are living on borrowed time. It is estimated that the village will lose around 97 metres during the next 20 years – one of the fastest eroding coastlines in Britain.
What is Happisburgh famous for?
Happisburgh is home to the oldest working light in the county and the only independently operated lighthouse in the UK. The famous red and white striped lighthouse was built in 1790 and offers wonderful views of the coast and countryside. In the summer, it is open to visitors on occasional Sundays.
How old is the church in Happisburgh?
The Norfolk village of Happisburgh (pronounced Haisbro) is famous for its 18th century red and white striped lighthouse, but the most historic building in this pretty coastal village is the superb medieval church of St Mary. There was a church recorded here at the time of the Domesday Book in 1086.
How is the beach at Happisburgh affected by erosion?
The Happisburgh Sand Member is easily eroded and undercutting of the cliff toe reduces slope stability and cliff failure occurs. The beach surface is low and scouring of the upper surface of the till extends the till platform.
Why is the Happisburgh project going so fast?
Happisburgh is going and is going fast… Well there are three coastal processes that happen at the beach they are… Erosion – The wearing away of beach of cliffs. Transportation – The movement of eroded materials. and Deposition – When the transported, eroded material settles.
Why are houses falling into the sea in Happisburgh?
The coastal part of the village is subject to frequent coastal erosion: houses that used to be over 20 feet (6 m) from the sea now sit at the edge of a cliff and are expected to fall into the sea.
Why are the cliffs at Happisburgh so unstable?
What does this mean’ It means… The cliffs at Happisburgh are prone to land slides and are unstable for that amount of weight.