Posted: May 24th, 2017

Contrast two sets of topographic features that cause differences in how wave energy is released on shorelines? Briefly justify your answers.

Contrast two sets of topographic features that cause differences in how wave energy is released on shorelines? Briefly justify your answers.

Example answer:a) Gently sloping shorelines will cause waves to break more slowly than will steep beaches because of the relationship between when a wave breaks and the water depth.

b) Headlands concentrate wave energy while bays diffuse wave energy because waves slow down in shallower water and thus “wrap” onto headlands and bay mouths