Geography Term 2

• Waves


  A disturbance on the surface of the sea or ocean, in the form of a moving ridge or swell
• Waves are caused by energy transfer from the wind to the sea (not to be confused with tides that the Moon causes)
• Fetch


  The distance a wave travels
• Swash


  The water comes from the ocean to inland
• Backwash


  The water moves flows into the water and can take sand with it
• If the swash is bigger than the backwash, then the wave is constructive
• If the swash is smaller than the backwash, then the wave is destructive
• The biggest waves in the world come from Portugal
• A long fetch means more time for the wave to travel so they have more energy when they reach shore