Sources of energy in coastal systems Flashcards
Name 4 inputs of energy
Waves
wind
Current
Tides
What is a low energy coast ?
- waves aren’t powerful
- More deposition than erosion
What are high energy coasts?
- Waves are powerful
- More erosion than deposition
What does the strength of the wind depend on?
- Weather experienced
- Fetch
What does wind create on water?
Waves
How does win create waves and how do they break
- Wind blows and transfers energy to the sea
- An orbital morion is created under the waves
- Less space for water and friction from the sea bed slow the waves down under neath but on top they are free to move
What does the friction do to the waves?
Hold it back
Why do destructive waves create more erosion?
Waves have high energy and beach can’t absorb energy
What type of swash and backwash do destructive waves have?
- Strong backwash
- Weak swash
Why do constructive waves do more deposition?
Waves has low energy ans Bach is able to absorb
What swash and backwash do Constructive waves have?
- Strong swash
- Weak backwash
WHat are longshore currents?
- Longshore drift
- waves move. Sediment up the beach then back down to sea
What are rip currents?
Very Very strong back wash with lower undercurrent
What are ocean currents?
Large movements of water in the oceans
Name and example of ocean currents;
Gulf Stream - warm ocean currents
