Shore Zone Terminology and Sediment Movement

• Offshore


  Water depths are greater than half the wavelength. Limited sediment movement by waves.
• Breaker zone


  Varies in width depending on the type of wave approaching the shore. The incoming waves are variable and will become unstable and break.
• Onshore zone


  The terrestrial environment where there is no wave activity.
• Surf zone


  Broken waves travel towards the shore. Sediment movement may be onshore, ortsnore or along the shore.
• Swash zone


  Varies with tides. Water moves up as swash and down as backwash.
• Backshore zone


  Only affected by waves under storm conditions. Cliffs, beaches or sand dunes may or may not be present.
• Berm


  A low gradient surface built by sediment deposited by receding waves.
• Intertidal and nearshore zone


  Waves are modified and sediment movement occurs.
• Tidal range


  The difference between high and low tide.