Where wind speeds are persistently high and uninterrupted wave energy is likely to be higher. Prevailing wind direction is likely to exert a strong influences over coastal processes
Period of time affecting Waves
Longer wind has been blowing higher the energy
Fetch affecting waves
Longer fetch higher energy
Constructive Waves
Shorter fetch
Small or low wave and with a long wavelength
Low frequency
These waves spill over and the swash rapidly loses volume and energy due to the water percolating through the beach material; this means that backwash is weak.
The wave has insufficient energy to move material along the beach
Destructive Waves
Fetch distance is long
High waves steep in form with a short wavelength
High frequency
They are steep and rapidly plunge over
Powerful backwash which moves considerable sediment also weakens the effect of the swash from the following wave.
High Energy Waves
Coastlines where strong prevailing winds create high energy waves
The rate of erosion often exceeds the rate of deposition of sediment
The North Cornish coastline where coastlines are exposed is a good example
Typical landforms include headlands, cliffs and wave cut platforms.
Low Energy Waves
Coastlines where wave energy is low.
The rate of deposition often exceeds the rate of erosion of sediment
The Baltic Sea is a good example with sheltered water and low tidal range
