AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTS OF HIGH CRESTED AND
LOW CRESTED OFFSHORE BREAKWATERS ON BEACH
MORPHOLOGY AT SEA PALLING, NORFOLK.
Physical Geography Edexcel A Level NEA
Author: H Bennett – 2026
Achieved A* 65/70
,Table of Contents
A) Purpose of Investigation: Page 2
Abstract: Geographical importance of Investigation and research conducted Page 2
Aims of Investigation Page 3
Geographical background theory and keywords Page 4
Geographical Coursework Context Page 8
Location of Study Page 9
Framework of Study Page 11
B) Field Methodologies and Data Collection: Page 12
Site selections Page 12
Risk Assessments Page 13
Ethical Considerations Page 14
Primary data methods Page 15
Secondary Data Methods Page 27
C) Data Representation (Results): Page 38
Data presentation, Analysis of sub questions, Interpretation and Evaluation of
Techniques/Methodologies used Page 38
D) Conclusions and Critical Evaluation:
Page 52
Critical Evaluation Page 52
Conclusion Page 52
Appendix Page 55
Bibliography Page 65
1
, A)Purpose of Investigation
Abstract: Geographical importance of investigation and research
conducted:
This investigation was chosen as I have visited the area for holidays in the past
and observed the historical pictures of the UK 1953 floods (Figures 17 and 16),
which were caused by a large storm surge funnelled down into the North Sea,
which had a disastrous flooding impact on many east coastal areas such as Sea
Palling. By 1980’s the Sea Palling beach level was at a critical low level, that the
sea wall foundations were exposed and vulnerable to collapse. This resulted in
the Leacoast 1 Flood Defence project (University of Liverpool, March 2004) and
the construction of nine offshore segmented parallel breakwaters in two stages.
Stage 1 was the construction of High Crested breakwaters numbers 5 – 8 in 1993
and then stage 2 low crested breakwaters were constructed in 1997, numbers 9-
13. Breakwaters 1 to 4 were planned for construction but were never completed.
There has not been any research conducted since the 2011 Leacoast 2 Project
(Frank Thomalla, Feb 2003) into the impacts of these offshore breakwaters on
beach morphology at Sea Palling. The Leacoast 2 research states that there is an
urgent need to understand the use of offshore breakwaters and their long-term
impact on the coast, with the future high risk of flooding in England.
This investigation is therefore relevant and important to understand the long-
term impact of the breakwaters, as the original research investigations were
conducted over 15 years ago and the risk of flooding from climate change is now
significantly increasing with more storm events taking place which could
influence the breakwater structures themselves and therefore influence the
beach morphology of the area.
This project investigates the current morphological impacts of high and low
crested breakwaters by carrying out beach profiles, sediment/ infiltration analysis
and wave surveys at various transects behind a high crested and low crested
breakwater, situated in parallel along the Sea Palling coast, during calm
conditions with predominantly constructive waves. The results and key findings
as well as the evaluation and observations of the current situation have been
provided.
(Society, n.d.)
2
, An investigation into the effects of High crested and Low crested
Offshore Breakwaters on beach morphology at Sea Palling,
Norfolk
Sub aims:
Aim 1
To examine whether there are similarities/differences in Longshore Drift, beach
profiles and gradients between Location A – High Crested Breakwater and
Location B – Low Crested Breakwater
By
- Measuring Longshore Drift at both locations
- Carrying out beach profile measurements and recording gradient changes
at both locations
Aim 2
To examine whether there are similarities/differences in sediment calibre and
infiltration rates between Location A – High Crested Breakwater and Location B –
Low Crested Breakwater
By
- Conducting Fine and Course Sediment Analysis (Sieving and Powers Scale
of Roundness)
- Conducting Infiltration Tests at flagged locations with changes of gradient
Aim 3
To examine whether there are similarities/differences in wave energies between
Location A – High Crested Breakwater and Location B – Low Crested Breakwater
By
- Carrying out wave surveys to collect data on wave frequency and wave
height to calculate wavelength and wave energy
- Measuring gap erosion between breakwaters using secondary research
equations
3
LOW CRESTED OFFSHORE BREAKWATERS ON BEACH
MORPHOLOGY AT SEA PALLING, NORFOLK.
Physical Geography Edexcel A Level NEA
Author: H Bennett – 2026
Achieved A* 65/70
,Table of Contents
A) Purpose of Investigation: Page 2
Abstract: Geographical importance of Investigation and research conducted Page 2
Aims of Investigation Page 3
Geographical background theory and keywords Page 4
Geographical Coursework Context Page 8
Location of Study Page 9
Framework of Study Page 11
B) Field Methodologies and Data Collection: Page 12
Site selections Page 12
Risk Assessments Page 13
Ethical Considerations Page 14
Primary data methods Page 15
Secondary Data Methods Page 27
C) Data Representation (Results): Page 38
Data presentation, Analysis of sub questions, Interpretation and Evaluation of
Techniques/Methodologies used Page 38
D) Conclusions and Critical Evaluation:
Page 52
Critical Evaluation Page 52
Conclusion Page 52
Appendix Page 55
Bibliography Page 65
1
, A)Purpose of Investigation
Abstract: Geographical importance of investigation and research
conducted:
This investigation was chosen as I have visited the area for holidays in the past
and observed the historical pictures of the UK 1953 floods (Figures 17 and 16),
which were caused by a large storm surge funnelled down into the North Sea,
which had a disastrous flooding impact on many east coastal areas such as Sea
Palling. By 1980’s the Sea Palling beach level was at a critical low level, that the
sea wall foundations were exposed and vulnerable to collapse. This resulted in
the Leacoast 1 Flood Defence project (University of Liverpool, March 2004) and
the construction of nine offshore segmented parallel breakwaters in two stages.
Stage 1 was the construction of High Crested breakwaters numbers 5 – 8 in 1993
and then stage 2 low crested breakwaters were constructed in 1997, numbers 9-
13. Breakwaters 1 to 4 were planned for construction but were never completed.
There has not been any research conducted since the 2011 Leacoast 2 Project
(Frank Thomalla, Feb 2003) into the impacts of these offshore breakwaters on
beach morphology at Sea Palling. The Leacoast 2 research states that there is an
urgent need to understand the use of offshore breakwaters and their long-term
impact on the coast, with the future high risk of flooding in England.
This investigation is therefore relevant and important to understand the long-
term impact of the breakwaters, as the original research investigations were
conducted over 15 years ago and the risk of flooding from climate change is now
significantly increasing with more storm events taking place which could
influence the breakwater structures themselves and therefore influence the
beach morphology of the area.
This project investigates the current morphological impacts of high and low
crested breakwaters by carrying out beach profiles, sediment/ infiltration analysis
and wave surveys at various transects behind a high crested and low crested
breakwater, situated in parallel along the Sea Palling coast, during calm
conditions with predominantly constructive waves. The results and key findings
as well as the evaluation and observations of the current situation have been
provided.
(Society, n.d.)
2
, An investigation into the effects of High crested and Low crested
Offshore Breakwaters on beach morphology at Sea Palling,
Norfolk
Sub aims:
Aim 1
To examine whether there are similarities/differences in Longshore Drift, beach
profiles and gradients between Location A – High Crested Breakwater and
Location B – Low Crested Breakwater
By
- Measuring Longshore Drift at both locations
- Carrying out beach profile measurements and recording gradient changes
at both locations
Aim 2
To examine whether there are similarities/differences in sediment calibre and
infiltration rates between Location A – High Crested Breakwater and Location B –
Low Crested Breakwater
By
- Conducting Fine and Course Sediment Analysis (Sieving and Powers Scale
of Roundness)
- Conducting Infiltration Tests at flagged locations with changes of gradient
Aim 3
To examine whether there are similarities/differences in wave energies between
Location A – High Crested Breakwater and Location B – Low Crested Breakwater
By
- Carrying out wave surveys to collect data on wave frequency and wave
height to calculate wavelength and wave energy
- Measuring gap erosion between breakwaters using secondary research
equations
3
