constructive vs destructive

• Constructive waves:

  • Have low energy and lead to a lower wave height
  • Typically found in calm or sunny conditions
  • Have a strong swash, carrying sediment to the beach, but a weak backwash that quickly loses energy and deposits sediment down the beach
• Deconstructive waves:

  • Have higher energy and are usually found in storms or strong winds
  • Have higher wave heights where the steep wave plunges over, with a higher wave energy
  • Weak swash that doesn't travel far before the powerful backwash pulls material back into the ocean, causing erosion of the coast
• Longshore drift is the movement of sediment by waves and currents along a coastline

  • It usually occurs in one direction, as dictated by prevailing winds
  • The oblique angle is typically 45°
• Constructive waves:

  • Low in height
  • Low frequency
  • Long wavelength (6-8 per minute)
  • When they break, they spill over gently, creating low, flat waves
  • They transport sediment with a strong swash and a weak backwash
• Destructive waves:

  • Higher and steeper
  • Higher frequency (12-14 per minute)
  • Shorter wavelength
  • Large steep waves that plunge over, eroding material and depositing it offshore in longshore bars
  • They form beach cliffs
  • They have a strong backwash