Figure 10.23: Breakwaters are visible in this satellite image, built parallel to the shoreline
to protect areas from strong waves. ( 4 )
Review Questions
- Name three structures that people build to try to prevent wave erosion.
- Name three natural landforms that are produced by wave erosion.
- What are the names of the parts of a waveform?
- Describe the process that produces wave refraction.
- If you were to visit a beach in a tropical area with coral reefs, what would the beach
there be made of?
Vocabulary
arch An erosional landform that is produced when waves erode through a cliff.
barrier island Long, narrow island, usually composed of sand that serves as nature’s first
line of defense against storms.
breakwater Structure built in the water, parallel to the shore to protect boats or harbor
areas from strong waves.
groin Long, narrow piles of stone or timbers built perpendicular to the shore to trap sand.
sea stack Isolated tower of rock that forms when a sea arch collapses.