WT_Waves and Tides - What's the Point? Module Review

This module discussed the dynamic nature of living by the shore, where waves, tides, tsunamis, cyclones, and gravitational forces constantly shape the coastal geomorphology and habitats. It highlighted the interconnectedness of these natural phenomena, which collectively impact marine life and human activities along the shore. The lessons also delved into the fascinating process of wave refraction. Overall, it provided an insightful look into the forces that sculpted the Earth's coastline.

Let's review the keywords and main points of the module.

How do the dynamic processes of waves and tides shape and impact coastal ecosystems?
- Waves and tides are super important for the coastal ecosystem. Waves can erode the shoreline and tides can create wetlands that are home to tons of different species. Plus, they help move nutrients and sediments along the coast.
In what ways do natural events like tsunamis and cyclones alter the coastal environment and affect human activities?
- When natural disasters like tsunamis or cyclones hit, it can be a whole different story. They can seriously mess up the environment, even changing the shape of the coastline. And they can be super dangerous to people too.
How do the gravitational forces of the moon and sun influence the formation of different tidal patterns, and what implications do these patterns have for coastal regions?
- The moon and sun are the ones responsible for the crazy tidal patterns we see. The moon's gravity creates high tides on the side of the Earth facing the moon and on the opposite side, while low tides happen in the middle. The sun's gravity also plays a part, but less so. Anyways, these tides can have a big impact on things like fishing and navigation.

In this module, we studied the following topics:

Lesson 1: Introduction to Moving Water
- - The ocean is in constant motion, primarily due to waves and tides. Waves are energy traveling through the water, shaped by wind and other forces, while tides, influenced by the moon’s gravity, significantly impact coastal environments and marine ecosystems.
Lesson 2: Ocean Wave Generation
- - Waves pass along energy from a disturbance. There are different types of waves such as internal and tidal waves. The top of a wave is called the crest, and the bottom is the trough. Wave height should not exceed 1/7th of the wavelength, or the wave will break. Waves make water particles move sideways and up and down, while the energy moves forward. The circular motion gets smaller as you go deeper until it stops at the wave base, which is about half the wavelength deep.
Lesson 3: Ocean Waves and Seafloor Interaction
- - This lesson reviewed how ocean waves change as they move from deep to shallow water. This lesson also explored how the sea floor affects its speed, shape, and energy, leading to the formation of different types of breakers and the phenomenon of wave refraction, which influences wave size and coastal erosion patterns.
Lesson 4: Moon & Sun in Tides & Tidal Patterns
- - In this lesson, we explored the intricate gravitational interactions between the Earth, moon, and sun that create diverse tidal patterns, including diurnal, semidiurnal, and mixed semidiurnal tides. We also delved into the dynamics of tidal currents, understanding their impact on coastal ecosystems and the unique phenomena they create such as tidal bores.

Lesson 5: Moon & Sun in Tides & Tidal Patterns

- - In this lesson, we explored the intricate gravitational interactions between the Earth, moon, and sun that create diverse tidal patterns, including diurnal, semidiurnal, and mixed semidiurnal tides. We also delved into the dynamics of tidal currents, understanding their impact on coastal ecosystems and the unique phenomena they create such as tidal bores.

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