Types of Energy Coasts
High Energy Coasts
Strong, steady prevailing winds
High energy waves
Erosional power
Erosion exceeds deposition
Landforms
Headlands
Cliffs
Wave-cut platforms
Examples
Atlantic coasts
Cornish coast
Low Energy Coasts
Deposition exceeds erosion
Landforms
Beaches
Spits
Examples
Sheltered Bays
Inlets
Estuaries
Low wave energy
Not very strong
These can be found when the coastline changes direction and when there are few strong winds
Waves spread outwards and energy is dissipated leading to deposition
Enclosed sea areas also have low energy e.g Baltic Sea
Wave power is strong for most of the year e.g West coast of British Isles. The prevailing wind is westerly and they face the direction of the longest fetch
Distribution of these coastlines is controlled by climate and the direction they face.
Strong winds are more frequent in areas where there is a cool temperate western maritime climate
Beaches and Spits