A longshore current is an ocean current that moves parallel to shore. It is caused by large swells sweeping into the shoreline at an angle and pushing water down the length of the beach in one direction.

When the sun, moon, and Earth are in alignment (at the time of the new or full moon), the solar tide has an additive effect on the lunar tide, creating extra-high high tides, and very low, low tides—both commonly called spring tides.

Tides originate in the oceans and progress toward the coastlines where they appear as the regular rise and fall of the sea surface. This is called the tidal current. The incoming tide along the coast and into the bays and estuaries is called a flood current; the outgoing tide is called an ebb current.

What essentially causes water movement and sand transport parallel to a beach? Sand is deposited from longshore currents.

When a wave breaks at a more acute (steep) angle on a beach, encounters a steeper beach slope, or is very high, longshore currents increase in velocity. Conversely, a wider breaking angle, gentler beach slope, and lower wave height slows a longshore current’s velocity.

When waves approach the beach at an angle, the part of the wave that reaches shallow water earliest slows down the most, allowing the part of the wave that is farther offshore to catch up. In this way the wave is refracted (bent) so that it crashes on the shore more nearly parallel to the shore.

Plunging waves break when the ocean floor is steep or has sudden depth changes. They can be powerful barrels or enormous close-outs. A collapsing wave is a mix of spilling and plunging waves.

The peak frequency ranges from about 0.2 waves per second (12 per minute) up to about 0.4 waves per second (24 per minute).

Gentler summer waves deposit sand from offshore bars onto the beach, ultimately widening it and increasing its elevation. Conversely, stronger winter waves with more energy, pick up those particles deposited in the summer, and carry them back offshore in bars, thus narrowing the beach.

Just as light waves and sound waves will bend when they hit something or change speed – a process called refraction – so do ocean waves. When shallow bathymetry slows down a part of a wave, this causes the waves to refract. This is what happens at Nazaré to create giant waves.

Pacific Ocean

Hot water elevates the cuticle of your strands. As a consequence, moisture leaves the strands quickly. Too much hot water will cause the hair to lose its strength in the long run. Since cold water doesn’t elevate the cuticles as much, washing with cold air will help you retain some moisture and strength.

WHAT IS THE WATER-ONLY METHOD? The water-only (WO) hair washing method simply uses only warm water to cleanse your scalp and hair, while allowing your natural oils to protect and nourish hair.

Step 1: Find the Right Water Temperature For facial washing, the best water temperature is warm. Cold water doesn’t effectively remove the daily grime, hot water may irritate and dry out your skin. Warm water helps loosen the dirt, but preserves your skin’s natural hydrating oils.

Just splashing your face with cold water can reduce the fine lines and wrinkles on your face considerably. * It also helps refresh the skin, and take care of dullness.

Why warm water might be best “Warm water helps plump which makes your pores appear smaller, while cold water reduces puffiness,” says Beal. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing your face in lukewarm water.