Geography - The sea Waves

A constructive wave has a stronger swash than backwash meaning it deposits material along the coastline

waves in which backwash is stronger than the swash destructive waves erode material and carry it away

The sea is constantly shaping the coastline. Waves transport, erode and deposit material along the coastline.

Waves are formed by the wind, moving across the surface of the sea. The distance of open sea over which the wind blows is called fetch, waves with the greater fetch are stronger.

when a wave reaches shallow water, the front of the wave meets the seabed, causing it to break as it moves toward the shore

When a wave breaks the water that rushes up the beach is known as swash. The water that runs back down the beach is known as backwash.