IGCSE Geography

Paper 1.2: Coastal Environments

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Question

Compare constructive waves and destructive waves in terms of height, frequency, and swash vs backwash.

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Answer

Constructive waves:

- Low height, long wavelength, low frequency (6–9/min).
- Strong swash > weak backwash (deposits sediment; builds beach).

Destructive waves:

- High height, short wavelength, high frequency (10–15/min).
- Strong backwash > weak swash (scours sediment; erodes beach).

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