Summary Sources of energy in coastal environments: wind, waves (constructive and destructive), currents and tides

Sources of energy in a coastal
system
- Wind
- Waves
- Tides
- sea currents


Wind
Waves created by transfer of energy from wind blowing over sea surface (friction drag of the wind)

Abrasion – most common type of wind erosion




Waves
Oscillatory waves – wave in open sea with full circular motion of particles

Translatory waves – a breaking wave in which the circular motion has been broken by basal friction

3 things that determine size of wave

- Strength of wind
- How long wind has been blowing for (longer blows = bigger wave)
- Fetch



SW England (eg Cornwall) - 2,500 miles fetch, larger waves

NE England – 500 miles fetch, smaller waves



Wave = superficial undulation of the water surface caused by winds blowing across the water
surface

Undulation – action of moving up and down




Wave frequency n.o waves per minute
Wave period Time taken for 2 successive crests to pass a