Mohammed Haye's & Arun Sharma's Page.
Constructive Waves
Constructive waves are responsible for deposition in coastal areas.
-
They are created in calm weather and are less powerful than destructive waves.
-
They break on the shore and deposit material, building up beaches.
-
They have a swash that is stronger than the backwash.
-
They have a long wavelength, and are low in height.
Destructive Waves
-
Destructive waves are created in stormy conditions.
-
They are created from big, strong waves when the wind is powerful and has been blowing for a long time.
-
They occur when wave energy is high and the wave has travelled over a long fetch.
-
They tend to erode the coast.
-
They have a stronger backwash than swash.
-
They have a short wave length and are high and steep.
Destructive waves are mainly responsible for coastal erosion and for taking sediment away form the coastlines.