InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society > Student Materials > Second Order Influence on Coastal Zones > Hydrographic Regime > Summary of Waves and Tides
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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Initial Publication Date: December 7, 2016

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.

For more information on tides and waves

http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/learning/player/lesson09.html - NOAA movie that discusses wave formation

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/tides/tides01_intro.html - NOAA website with a discussion of tides

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_range - Wikipedia website with a discussion of tidal range

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longshore_drift - Wikipedia website with a discussion of longshore transport

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05wTyMVO--0 - YouTube video about longshore transport

These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »