Physical characteristics of wave-dominated deltas

  1. Wave-dominated deltas are characterised by relative high wave energy at the mouth compared to tide energy, and are distinguished from wave-dominated estuaries by high river energy.
  2. Total energy at the mouth is high because of high wave energy at the coast.
  3. Total energy declines immediately landward of the mouth because wave energy is dissipated on the barrier. The dominance of river energy further landward means total energy is relatively high along the channel.
  4. Maximum tidal energy occurs in the constricted inlet mouth.

Physical characteristics of a Wave-dominated Delta

(After Heap et al. 2001)