Constructive Wave
Waves with long wavelengths and low frequency that cause a net sediment gain on beaches. Constructive waves deposit more sediment than they remove, operating as depositional forces in coastal systems.
Real World
Chesil Beach in Dorset is built almost entirely by constructive wave action — the long, low-energy swash from the English Channel has deposited an 18-mile shingle barrier over thousands of years.
Exam Focus
When asked to 'explain' constructive waves, always link swash dominance to net sediment gain — the mark scheme rewards this causal chain.
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