| Category |
Sub-category |
Definition |
Wave exposed
|
Extremly exposed |
Open coastlines which face into the prevailing wind and receive both wind-driven waves and oceanic swell without any offshore obstructions such as islands or shallows for several thousand kilometres and where deep water is close to the shore (50 m depth contour within about 300 m). |
| Very exposed |
1) Open coasts which face into prevailing winds and which receive wind-driven waves and oceanic swell without any offshore obstructions for several hundred kilometres, but where deep water is not close to the shore (50 m depth contour further than about 300 m). 2) Open coasts adjacent to extremely exposed sites but which face away from prevailing winds. |
| Exposed |
1) Coasts which face the prevailing wind but which have a degree of shelter because of extensive shallow areas offshore, offshore obstructions, or a restricted (less than 90°) window to open water. These sites are not generally exposed to large waves or regular swell. 2) Open coasts facing away from prevailing winds but with a long fetch, and where strong winds are frequent. |
| Moderately exposed |
Generally coasts facing away from prevailing winds and without a long fetch, but where strong winds can be frequent . |
Wave sheltered
|
Sheltered |
Coasts with a restricted fetch and/or open water window. Coasts can face prevailing winds but with a short fetch (< 20 km) or extensive shallow area offshore, or may face away from prevailing winds. |
| Very sheltered |
Coasts with a fetch less than about 3 km where they face prevailing winds or about 20 km where they face away from prevailing winds, or which have offshore obstructions such as reefs or a narrow (< 30°) open water window |
| Extremely sheltered |
Fully enclosed coasts with a fetch of no more than about 3 km |
| Ultra sheltered |
Fully enclosed coasts with a fetch measured in tens or at most a few hundred metres. |
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