Protecting the UK's coastline
I can describe how different methods of hard and soft engineering protect the UK's coastline from erosion.
Protecting the UK's coastline
I can describe how different methods of hard and soft engineering protect the UK's coastline from erosion.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Hard engineering is the building of fixed structures to slow down the waves and the rate of erosion.
- Soft engineering is working with nature to reduce the risk of flooding and erosion.
- Examples of hard engineering include groynes, sea walls and gabions.
- Examples of soft engineering include beach replenishment and dune stabilisation.
Keywords
Erosion - the process of Earth’s surface, e.g. rock or soil, being worn away and transported from its original site
Cliff - a tall, vertical rock face
Wave - waves are the movements of energy across water
Beach - an area of land between low and storm tide marks made up of materials like sand, mud and stones
Common misconception
Students may think that coastal defences stop erosion entirely.
Coastal defences aim to protect the coastline from erosion, and can greatly reduce erosion but they can't stop it completely. Defences don't last forever, so eventually the power of the sea will regain strength in areas previously protected.
To help you plan your year 7 geography lesson on: Protecting the UK's coastline, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 geography lesson on: Protecting the UK's coastline, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the Coasts: what shapes life at the coast? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a tall vertical rock face
an area of land made up of sand, mud and stones
movements of energy across water