3. Wave Refraction The process by which the portion of a wave in shallow water slows, causing the wave to bend and tend to align itself with the underwater contours.
5. Barrier Islands A low, elongated ridge of sand that parallels the coast.
6. Key Concept How are sediments along the shoreline moved? Waves along the shoreline are constantly eroding, transporting, and depositing sediments. Many types of shoreline features can result from this activity.
7. Key Concept How does refraction affect wave action along the shore? Because of refraction, wave energy is concentrated against the sides and ends of headlands that project into the water, whereas wave action is weakened in bays.
8. Key Concept What do longshore currents do? Turbulence allows longshore currents to easily move the fine suspended sand and to roll larger sand and gravel particles along the bottom.
9. Key Concept By which processes do shoreline features form? Shoreline features that originate primarily from the work of erosion are called erosional features. Sediment that is transported along the shore and deposited in areas where energy is low produced depositional features.
10. Key Concept What structures can be built to protect a shoreline? Groins, breakwater, and seawalls are some structures built to protect a coast from erosion or to prevent the movement of sand along a beach.
11. Key Concept What is beach nourishment? Beach nourishment is the addition of large quantities of sand to the beach system.
