2007-12-21 04:07:05 · 3 answers · asked by Gabriela M 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
If a wave is approaching a shoreline at an angle, the part of the wave closer to shore is in shallower water and it gets slowed down by contact with the sea bottom (waves extend below the surface a bit). Then the parts of the wave still out in deeper water catch up. This effect causes most waves to become parallel to the shore by the time they hit it.
2007-12-21 04:16:52 · answer #1 · answered by Nature Boy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Waves always flow toward shore on continents, but not on islands. The previous answers are the main reason waves flow toward shore on continents. On Islands, waves can bend due to refraction and end up hitting the island at an oblique angle.
In parts of Hawaii, you have to watch the waves very carefully before swimming in the water because the waves can wash out to sea faster than you can swim toward shore.
2007-12-21 09:07:25 · answer #2 · answered by formerly_bob 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The guy above is correct. Also, in the open ocean, waves are traveling in every direction, so on the shore, you will always have some waves that are traveling towards the shore.
2007-12-21 06:54:38 · answer #3 · answered by straightshooter 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋