Constructive vs Destructive

• Give details about the WAVE HEIGHT of constructive waves?


  low, surging
• Give details about the WAVE HEIGHT of destructive waves?


  high,plunging
• Give details about the WAVE LENGTH OF CONSTRUCTIVE WAVES?

  long eg up to 100m
• Give details about the WAVE LENGTH OF DESTRUCTIVE WAVES?

  Short
• Give details about the WAVE STEEPNESS OF CONSTRUCTIVE WAVES?

  Gentle / front of wave steepens slowly
• Give details about the WAVE STEEPNESS OF DESTRUCTIVE WAVES?

  steep - rapidly steepens as shore approaches
• Give details about the wave energy of constructive waves?


  low. absorbed by beach
• Give details about the wave energy of destructive waves?


  high- little energy absorbed
• Give details about the wave period/frequency of constructive waves?

  6-8 per minute
• Give details about the wave period/frequency of destructive waves?


  10-14 per minute
• Give details about the wave formation of constructive waves?


  Distant weather systems generate these waves in the open ocean
• Give details about the wave formation of destructive waves?

  local storms are responsible for these waves (usually)
• do constructive waves have a stronger swash or backwash?


  strong swash
• do destructive waves have a stronger swash or backwash?


  strong backwash
• what influence do constructive waves have on beach material?


  - beach gain (constructive)

  builds up ' gains'
• what influence do destructive waves have on beach material?


  beach loss (destructive)

  removes - 'loss'
• what beach features do constructive waves form?


  ridges of deposition (BERMS)

  Gentle beach profile
• what beach features do destructive waves form?


  steep profile

  storm beacjes
• hows much energy from destrucitve waves is absorbed by the beach?

  little wave energy absorbed by the beach