Modeling How Shoreline Shape Affects Tides and How Underwater Structures Attenuate Wave Energy

An Example of the Georgia Bight

Abstract

Two demonstrations are presented that lead students to a greater understanding of ocean tides and wave energy, using the unique tidal range and wave action of the Georgia Bight as an example. The goal is to explain how varying geological features in coastal regions create different wave energies and how the shape of a coastline affects the magnitude of the tidal range. These mechanisms were demonstrated to students in an upper-division college course prior to attending a field trip, in which they would evaluate real-world examples of coastlines with high and low wave energy, and regions with large and small tidal magnitudes. Here, the method of applied learning proved to be successful in guiding students to better comprehension of concepts when relating demonstrations to firsthand observations in the field.