wave energy dissipation

Wave energy dissipation refers to the process where the energy carried by ocean waves is gradually reduced as they travel. This occurs through mechanisms such as breaking waves, friction with the seafloor, and absorption by structures or the shoreline. Essentially, the movement of water transfers energy to the surrounding environment, converting wave motion into heat or sound, or dispersing it into the atmosphere and seabed. This gradual loss of energy limits how far waves can travel with their initial strength, shaping coastal erosion, sediment transport, and the efficiency of wave energy as a renewable power source.