Sources Of Energy In Coastal Environments Flashcards
What are the four sources of energy in coastal environments
Wind
Waves
Sea currents
Tides
What are the two types of waves
Constructive wave
Destructive wave
What is a constructive wave
Low wave height
Long wave length
Strong swash and weak backwash
Builds up the beach
What is a destructive wave
High wave height
Short wave length
Weak swash and strong backwash
Removes sediment from the beach
What is wave refraction
The bending of waves
Waves bend towards shallower water
The quicker the change in water depth the greater the refraction
The more curvy a coastline is the more refraction occurs
Occurs more at headlines which stick out causing waves to refracted on them
What is a tide
The periodic rise and fall of the level of sea
What are the two types of tides
Spring tide
Neap tide
What is a spring tide
When there is the greatest difference between high and low water
What is a neap tide
when there is least difference between high and low water
What is the greatest influence on tides
The moon as it’s closer to earth then the sun
What is tidal range
The difference between high and low tide
What is a high energy coastline
Wave energy is high
Erosion is greater then the rate of deposition
Headlands, cliffs, wave cut platforms
What is a low energy coastline
Wave energy is low
Deposition greater then the rate of erosion
Beaches and splits
What is the fetch
Stretch of ocean that the wind blows over creating a wave, usually the longer the fetch the longer the wave
