9.1.6

Waves

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Types of Wave

Constructive and destructive waves are the two main types of wave. The characteristics of these waves are described below:

Illustrative background for What are destructive waves?Illustrative background for What are destructive waves? ?? "content

What are destructive waves?

  • Destructive waves are taller and more frequent than constructive waves.
  • The frequency of destructive waves is about 10-15 waves per minute.
  • Destructive waves cause most of the erosion of coastlines.
  • Destructive waves have a stronger backwash than swash, meaning they drag more material away from the coastline than is deposited on the shore.
Illustrative background for What are constructive waves?Illustrative background for What are constructive waves? ?? "content

What are constructive waves?

  • Constructive waves are small waves that are not very tall above the surface of the ocean.
  • When the sea's waves are constructive, we say that the sea is calm.
  • A constructive wave is very long and not very high. Constructive waves have a low frequency (about 7-10 waves arrive at the beach each minute).
  • Constructive waves deposit material on coastlines because their swash depositing things on the beach is stronger than their backwash dragging things from the beach.

Jump to other topics

1Geography Skills

2Geology of the UK

3Geography of the World

4Development

5Weather & Climate

6The World of Work

7Natural Resources

8Rivers

9Coasts

10Glaciers

11Tectonics

12Climate Change

13Global Population & Inequality

14Urbanisation

15Ecosystems

16Life in an Emerging Country

17Analysis of Africa

18Analysis of India

19Analysis of the Middle East

20Analysis of Bangladesh

21Analysis of Russia

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