Coastal Hazards & Opportunities (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Geography): Revision Note

Specification link

This page covers sections 2.3.1 and 2.3. 2 of the CIE IGCSE Geography specification.

• 2.3.1 - The opportunities of living near the coast.

• 2.3.2 - The hazards of living near the coast.

What are the hazards of coasts?

• Coastal hazards can be either natural or human-induced

• Natural hazards include storms, flooding and tsunamis

• Human actions have consequences and impacts

Urbanisation and transport

• Consequences 

  • Dredging and disposal of harbour sediments; changes in land use—ports, harbours and airports; road, rail and air congestion; water abstraction; wastewater and waste disposal

• Impacts

  • Damage to the environment and loss of species, visual and water pollution, saltwater ingress; water pollution; health risks; eutrophication, and introduction of invasive species

Agriculture

• Consequences 

  • Land reclamation; fertiliser and pesticide use; livestock densities, and water abstraction

• Impacts

  • Loss of habitats and species diversity water pollution, eutrophication, river channelisation, coastal squeeze

Fisheries and aquaculture

• Consequences 

  • Port and harbour construction, fish processing, fishing tackle, fish farm waste, shrimp farming

• Impacts

  • Overfishing; impacts on other species as a result; litter and oil on beaches; water pollution; eutrophication; introduction of invasive alien species (IAS); habitat damage and changes in marine communities

Industry

• Consequences 

  • Land use changes; power stations; extraction of natural resources; processing effluents; cooling water; windmills; river dams, weirs and barriers; tidal barrages

• Impacts

  • Loss of habitats and species diversity; water pollution; eutrophication; heat and visual pollution; decreased input of fresh water and sediment to coastal zones; coastal erosion

Tourism and recreation

• Consequences 

  • Development and land use changes, such as golf courses; road, rail and air congestion; ports, harbours and marinas; water abstraction; wastewater and waste disposal; boat tours; and water activities (snorkelling, skiing, surfing, etc.)

• Impacts

  • Loss of habitats and species diversity; disturbance of habitats, migration patterns, and landforms; visual pollution; lowering of water table; saltwater ingress in aquifers; water pollution, eutrophication, human health risks

Natural coastal hazards

• Coastal hazards arise from several factors:

  • Storm surges are the result of extremely low-pressure storms (like tropical storms), which cause a rapid rise in sea level

  • Storm tides occur when there is a combination of a high tide and a low-pressure storm

  • Tsunamis are large sea waves caused by underwater earthquakes. The closer to the coast the earthquake is, the bigger the impact

  • King tides

  • Sea level rise due to global warming

  • High river discharge after a storm: when combined with a spring tide, water in the estuary cannot discharge into the sea, causing a backflow of water and flooding

• Any number of these hazards can bring coastal flooding 

• Although High Income Countries (HICs) have the largest costs, Middle and Low Income Countries (MICs and LICs) experience the greatest effects

What are the opportunities on the coast?

• Coastal areas offer a variety of opportunities, including trade ports, tourism, fishing, aquaculture, industry, and recreation

• They also provide opportunities for development, such as building homes, shops, and hotels, as well as the establishment of nature reserves

• These opportunities can lead to economic growth and development in coastal regions

Trade ports

• Coastal areas serve as hubs for global trade, linking regional and global markets

  • The Port of Singapore in Southeast Asia is a critical hub in the global supply chain, connecting to 600 ports worldwide

• Ports and harbours handle imports and exports, helping the economy grow and creating jobs

  • The busiest port in the Middle East and the biggest man-made harbour is Port Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates

• They help make transporting items cheaper and faster, which is beneficial for trade

  • China's Yangtze Delta is home to the Port of Shanghai, which is the world's busiest port and a major economic and industrial hub

  • It features state-of-the-art infrastructure, including designated zones for various types of cargo, automated cranes, and advanced tracking systems

Tourism

• Coastal areas often attract tourists, generating income for local communities and supporting tourism-related industries 

  • Popular destinations include the beaches of the Philippines, the French Riviera, the Italian coastline (especially Tuscany), the Greek and Hawaiian islands

  • Australia, South Africa, Thailand, and Spain also offer beautiful coastal destinations with a wide range of attractions

Fishing and aquaculture

• Coastal waters provide resources for fishing and aquaculture, contributing to food security and economic opportunities 

• Ports that focus on fishing and seafood processing play a crucial role in the fishing industry

• They provide the necessary facilities to make sure fish are handled and distributed efficiently

  • Vigo port, Spain, handles almost a million tonnes of fish annually

  • It is a major hub for seafood processing and distribution

  • The largest fishing port in Europe is Peterhead in Scotland

Agriculture

• Coastal areas worldwide play a role in agriculture, supporting a significant number of farming activities

• Deltas and floodplains provide fertile soils, water resources, and a milder climate, particularly along coasts influenced by moderate sea currents

  • The Batinah and Salalah coastal plains in Oman, produce most of Oman's agricultural output due to their fertile soils and abundant water supplies

Industry

• Various industries, including energy, shipping, and manufacturing, are often located in coastal areas due to access to raw materials, transport routes, and markets 

  • The North Sea is a significant maritime region bordering eight highly industrialised nations, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands

  • These coastal areas are densely populated and have extensive industrial activities, including ports such Rotterdam and Hamburg

Urbanisation and development

• Coastal areas tend to be densely populated and urbanised, leading to development of housing, shopping centers, and other infrastructure

  • The most urbanised coastal region in the world is Asia—specifically, East Asia and Southeast Asia

  • It has the highest concentration of coastal megacities

Natural resources

• Coastal areas are rich in natural resources such as minerals, oil, and gas

• These resources are extracted and used for various purposes, which helps create jobs and boosts the economy

  • The Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands serves as a significant hub for the transport of various natural resources, including oil and chemicals

Recreation and leisure

• Coastal areas provide opportunities for recreational activities like swimming, boating, and tourism

• These activities not only attract visitors but also help to bring in money for the local economy

  • Busan, South Korea is known for its beautiful beaches, the Busan International Film Festival, and maritime leisure

Nature reserves

• Many coastal areas are designated as nature reserves, providing habitat for various species and contributing to biodiversity conservation

  • The Galapagos Marine Reserve, Ecuador, is renowned for its unique and diverse ecosystems, including islands with endemic species like giant tortoises and marine iguanas