Sediment transport and deposition in deep ocean and shallow coastal environments are functions of tide, wave and current patterns which interact to produce a dynamic environment of rapid change in coastal environments and the shallow continental shelf which have been shaped by tectonics and sea level. In this chapter, we will concentrate on the effect of physical forces on the sedimentary environments.
Waves are our first subject. The formation and action of waves supplies most of the energy expended on the shoreline and over the continental shelf. Nearshore and shelf currents are discussed next, and finally tides which can be considered a form of wave.
The special conditions and control of the environments by storms are unique and are discussed as a separate topic.