InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society > Student Materials > Second Order Influence on Coastal Zones > Hydrographic Regime > Wave, Mixed Energy, and Tide Dominated Hydrographic Regimes
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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

Wave, Mixed Energy, and Tide Dominated Hydrographic Regimes

Our understanding of waves and tides now sets the stage for a more thorough understanding of how they interact to shape a coastal zone. In the context of hydrographic regime, there are two fundamental things that must be considered: the wave and tidal energy of a coast.

  1. Wave energy (E) is a function of wave height (H) with the energy (E) of a wave approximately equal to the square of the wave height (H2).
  2. Tidal energy can be equated with tidal range, because it is the rise and fall of the tides that produce tidal currents. Tidal range (TR) is the vertical difference between high and low tides, which are commonly categorized into three ranges: Microtidal TR < 2.0 m, Mesotidal 2.0 m < TR < 4.0 m, and Macrotidal TR > 4.0 m

The relative dominance of wave versus tidal energy dictates coastal morphology and three general regimes exist along depositional coasts:

  1. Wave Dominated Coasts
  2. Mixed Energy Coasts
  3. Tide-dominated Coasts

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 »