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A wave's energy moves in a circular pattern and the deeper the water column, the faster the wave travels and the smaller its size e.g. it has low steepness. As it approaches the shore and the water becomes shallow, the bottom of the wave drags on the ocean floor which slows the bottom of the wave down but the top of the wave continues at the same speed. Eventually the top of the wave gets so far ahead of the bottom that it topples over forming a breaker.

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Q: How do waves affect the ocean floor?
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Related questions

How might a heavy undertow affect the formation of breakers above it?

Breakers form as waves interact with the ocean floor. Undertows are moving out to sea along the ocean floor. Therefore, undertows must contribute to the slowing down of incoming waves and the buildup of water molecules that cause the waves to increase in height.


What are the sound waves sent to the ocean floor called?

Sonar waves.


How do volcanoes affect the ocean floor?

Volcanoes affect the ocean floor by adding sediment to the ocean basin (bottom of the ocean.) Hope I helped!


What is the outer movement of the ocean floor?

waves, spreading


Oceanographers can use sonar to calculate the depth of the ocean floor because?

sound waves can penetrate the ocean floor.


How do waves affect coastal landforms?

the familiar waves we spot at the beach are often caused by wind.waves are also formed through tectonic activity.the ocean floor can cause the bottom of waves to slow down.


Are triggered by earthquakes originating beneath the ocean floor?

Tidal waves ?


What technique uses sound waves to measure the depth of the ocean floor?

Sonar.


Can an earthquake on the ocean floor produce a tornado?

No, an earthquake on the ocean floor can cause a tsunami (a series of large waves). Earthquakes do not influence weather events such as tornadoes.


Why are larger ocean waves found in the west?

because it is The reason for the larger waves in the Pacific Ocean has to do with wind directions and the ocean floors. The ocean floor in the west has a sharp drop-off. This, combined with the winds blowing in from the west, causes the waves to be much larger because they are able to gain more strength. While the ocean floor in the east has a more tapered floor and the winds are blowing out from the west, therefore, making it so they are pushing against the wind.


How might crashing waves on a beach affect the ocean floor over thousands of years?

Im not sure but I think it might affect by making lots of rocks and longer beaches. Sorry if im wrong but you can improve or change.


The water displaced by a strong earthquake on the ocean floor forms large waves called?

title waves or tsunami's