Question

Where is wave energy usually focused on an emergent coastline?

Answer 1

Wave energy focuses on emergent coastlines due to shoaling, but global potential for wave energy is limited and classified as a 'boutique' energy source.

Step-by-step explanation:

The energy of ocean waves is typically concentrated on emergent coastlines where the water depth decreases as waves approach the shore. This is due to a phenomenon known as shoaling, which compresses the wave energy into a smaller volume, resulting in higher waves. However, not all coastlines receive significant wave energy due to factors such as orientation and protection from long stretches of open water. Even so, the global potential for wave energy to meet the current energy demands is seen as limited. Although extracting energy from waves is not particularly difficult and has a moderate level of intermittency, the total contribution of wave energy compared to the global energy demands remains in the 'boutique' category, meaning it is relatively minor and cannot be the main source of power.

Answer 2

Wave energy on an emergent coastline is typically focused on headlands or coastal protrusions due to their resistance to erosion, resulting in intensified wave action and higher energy concentration.

Step-by-step explanation:

1.Emergent Coastline: An emergent coastline is characterized by landforms rising from the sea due to tectonic uplift or a decrease in sea levels, exposing previously submerged areas.

2.Wave Energy Focus: On an emergent coastline, wave energy tends to be concentrated on headlands or coastal protrusions. These areas are more resistant to erosion compared to surrounding regions due to their hard rock composition or geological formations. As a result, waves hitting these headlands are reflected or deflected, causing intensified wave action around these areas.

Higher Energy Concentration: The resistance of headlands to erosion causes the waves to expend more energy, leading to intensified wave action and higher energy concentration in these specific areas along the coastline.