What are the advantages/disadvantages of sea walls?
Advantages Protects the base of cliffs against erosion. Can prevent coastal flooding in some areas. Land and buildings are protected from erosion. Disadvantages A sea wall is expensive to build. Curved sea walls reflect the energy of the waves back to the sea. This means that the waves remain powerful. Over time the wall may begin to erode. The cost of maintenance is high. From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesiz… The construction of a small section of defence can have disastrous effects further along the coast. In addition, construction of a sea wall, while protecting the land behind it, may accelerate the erosion of the beach in front of it. This is due to increased wave reflection which ultimately results in the wall being subjected to increased wave attack. As defences are strengthened on one stretch of coast, it may be necessary to strengthen those furthe
