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Glossary of Terms

Breakwater

A man-made structure protecting a shore area, harbor, anchorage, or basin from waves.

Sea Bags

Large sand-filled geotextile tubes used in coastal protection projects.

The transmission of waves through water.

A geographically defined area that is designed and managed to achieve specified environmental objectives.

Surf

Collective term for breakers.

The wave activity in the area between the shoreline and the outermost limit of breakers.
In literature, the term surf usually refers to the breaking waves on shore and on reefs when accompanied by a roaring noise caused by the larger waves breaking.

Undertow

A current below water surface flowing seaward; the receding water below the surface from waves breaking on a shelving beach. Actually undertow is largely mythical. As the backwash of each wave flows down the beach, a current is formed which flows seaward. However, it is a periodic phenomenon. The most common phenomena expressed as "undertow" are actually rip currents.

Coastal Strip

A zone directly adjacent to the waterline, where only coast related activities take place. Usually this is a strip of some 100 m wide. In this strip, coastal defense activities take place. In this strip often there may be restrictions to land use.

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