Ocean Waves and Coastal Terms

Front

Coast

Back

The land next to or close to the sea.

Front

Ocean Wave

Back

A raised movement of water, commonly caused by the wind, rolling across the surface esp. of the sea.

Front

Constructive Wave

Back

Flat, low and weak waves that have a long wavelength and build beaches through deposition.

Front

Destructive Wave

Back

Tall, powerful waves that have a short wavelength and remove beach material through erosion.

Front

Swash

Back

The rush of seawater up the beach after the breaking of a wave.

Front

Backwash

Back

The flow of seawater back down the beach and into the sea. This is caused by gravity.

Front

Crest

Back

The highest part of the wave.

Front

Trough

Back

The lowest part of the wave.

Front

Wavelength

Back

The distance between two successive crests.

Front

Circular Motion

Back

Waves have a circular orbit or motion.