Summary of Waves and Tides

Summary of Waves and Tides

In summary, waves and tides can have a profound influence on the morphology and evolution of a coast. In areas with large waves and thus high wave energy, sediments can be extensively reworked by the erosive energy of the waves and widely distributed by the process of longshore transport. In high-energy coastal areas with strong tidal currents, large volumes of sediment can be transported or reworked by the tidal currents to create deposits that are aligned perpendicular to the coastline but parallel to the flow direction of rising and falling tides. In coastal areas that have large tidal ranges or are low gradient, some parts of the shoreline may be exposed for several hours each day before the next rise in tide, and extensive mudflats can develop for very large horizontal distances.