ABSTRACT
Waves in rivers depend on gravity for their shape and size in much the same way that channels themselves depend on the force of gravity down the land slope for their energy. Sea waves are different as they depend on the circulation of the atmosphere and the resulting winds for their energy. Although it is possible for winds to create waves on lakes, they are not usually as large as those which can be generated by strong winds blowing over vast stretches of the oceans. These are the waves which play a large part in shaping our shorelines.
