Waves break onto Durdle Door beach in winter, Jurassic Coast, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dorset, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Rocky headland at Playa Monsul sandy beach, Cabo de Gata natural park, Almeria, Andalusia, Spain, Europe

Tidal sorting of white sand and darker minerals into patterns at the west coast Talisker Bay beach, known as a white and black sand beach, an SSSI for its Tertiary basalt lava geology, Talisker Bay, Carbost, Skye, Inner Hebrides, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

Dunnet Bay, near Thurso, Caithness, Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

Vaucottes hanging valley, Vattetot-sur-Mer, Seine-Maritime department, Normandy region, France, Europe

Achmelvich Beach, Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

Kimmeridge Bay, Jurassic Coast, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dorset, England, United Kingdom, Europe

The intertidal zone of the Quantock Coast, West Somerset, contains an abundance of geology and wildlife. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is of international geological importance.

The Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, Seven Sisters Country Park, South Downs National Park, seen from Birling Gap, near Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Boat Cove, West Penwith, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Damage caused by the December 2005 tsunami, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, Asia

Brighton Pier, on the shoreline of the South Coast in England, United Kingdom

Temporary bridge in the aftermath of the December 2005 tsunami, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, Asia

Waves crashing over the rocks at Kynance Cove in Cornwall, South West England.

Second World war defences that for a long time were buried under the storm beach are revealed after the December 2013 storm surge at Cley on the North Norfolk coast, UK. The huge waves completely breached the storm beach, and pushed it inland onto the Cley nature reserve.

Whitehaven harbour during the January 2014 period of storm surge, high tides and storm force winds. The coastline took a battering, damaging the harbour wall and eroding a large section of coastal cliff.

After a week of high tides, storm surges and storm force winds, the sea front promenade of Aberystwyth in Wales has been devastated, with millions of £'s of damage. The crsahing waves punched a large hole in the sea wall and has collapsed Aberystwyth's iconic, Victorian promenade shelter, which has stood for over 100 years. This picture was taken on Wednesday 8th January, 2014, the day the council started to try and clear the thousands of tonnes of beach rubble off the sea front road.

After a week of high tides, storm surges and storm force winds, the sea front promenade of Aberystwyth in Wales has been devastated, with millions of £'s of damage. The crsahing waves punched a large hole in the sea wall and has collapsed Aberystwyth's iconic, Victorian promenade shelter, which has stood for over 100 years. This picture was taken on Wednesday 8th January, 2014, the day the council started to try and clear the thousands of tonnes of beach rubble off the sea front road.

After a week of high tides, storm surges and storm force winds, the sea front promenade of Aberystwyth in Wales has been devastated, with millions of £'s of damage. The crsahing waves punched a large hole in the sea wall and has collapsed Aberystwyth's iconic, Victorian promenade shelter, which has stood for over 100 years. This picture was taken on Wednesday 8th January, 2014, the day the council started to try and clear the thousands of tonnes of beach rubble off the sea front road.

Damage caused to the coastal defences by the December 2013 storm surge at Cley on the North Norfolk coast, UK. The huge waves completely breached the storm beach, and pushed it inland onto the Cley nature reserve.

Damage caused to the coastal defences by the December 2013 storm surge at Cley on the North Norfolk coast, UK. The huge waves completely breached the storm beach, and pushed it inland onto the Cley nature reserve.

Whitehaven harbour being completely overwhelmed by huge waves during the January 2014 period of storm surge, high tides and storm force winds. The coastline took a battering, damaging the harbour wall and eroding a large section of coastal cliff.

Whitehaven harbour during the January 2014 period of storm surge, high tides and storm force winds. The coastline took a battering, damaging the harbour wall and eroding a large section of coastal cliff.

Waves crashing off Parton near Whitehaven during the January 2014 period of storm surge, high tides and storm force winds. The coastline took a battering, damaging the harbour wall and eroding a large section of coastal cliff.

Red Knot, (Calidris canutus) flocking on salt marsh on morecambe Bay, Cumbria, UK, a high tide.

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot The Wello Penguin

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - The Pelamis Wave Power machine in Orkney - alongside in Lyness - the machine is the P2 . The Pelamis absorbs the energy of ocean waves and converts it into electricity. The machine floats semi-submerged on the surface of the water and is made up of a number of cylindrical sections joined together by hinged joints. As waves pass down the length of the machine these sections flex relative to one another. The motion at each hinged joint is resisted by hydraulic cylinders which pump fluid into high pressure accumulators allowing electrical generation to be smooth and continuous. Control of the resistance applied by the hydraulic cylinders allows generation to be maximised when waves are small, and the machine response to be minimised in storms. All generation systems are sealed and dry inside the machines and power is transmitted to shore using standard subsea cables and equipment.

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - Tidal Generation Limited - backed by Rolls Rpyce -TGL is are currently operating a 500kWe concept demonstrator unit at The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Tidal site in Orkney. This has been generating since September 2010 and provides power for up to 300 homes.

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - The Pelamis Wave Power machine in Orkney - alongside in Lyness - the machine is the P2 . The Pelamis absorbs the energy of ocean waves and converts it into electricity. The machine floats semi-submerged on the surface of the water and is made up of a number of cylindrical sections joined together by hinged joints. As waves pass down the length of the machine these sections flex relative to one another. The motion at each hinged joint is resisted by hydraulic cylinders which pump fluid into high pressure accumulators allowing electrical generation to be smooth and continuous. Control of the resistance applied by the hydraulic cylinders allows generation to be maximised when waves are small, and the machine response to be minimised in storms. All generation systems are sealed and dry inside the machines and power is transmitted to shore using standard subsea cables and equipment.

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - The Pelamis Wave Power machine in Orkney - alongside in Lyness - the machine is the P2 . The Pelamis absorbs the energy of ocean waves and converts it into electricity. The machine floats semi-submerged on the surface of the water and is made up of a number of cylindrical sections joined together by hinged joints. As waves pass down the length of the machine these sections flex relative to one another. The motion at each hinged joint is resisted by hydraulic cylinders which pump fluid into high pressure accumulators allowing electrical generation to be smooth and continuous. Control of the resistance applied by the hydraulic cylinders allows generation to be maximised when waves are small, and the machine response to be minimised in storms. All generation systems are sealed and dry inside the machines and power is transmitted to shore using standard subsea cables and equipment.

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - The Pelamis Wave Power machine in Orkney - alongside in Lyness - the machine is the P2 . The Pelamis absorbs the energy of ocean waves and converts it into electricity. The machine floats semi-submerged on the surface of the water and is made up of a number of cylindrical sections joined together by hinged joints. As waves pass down the length of the machine these sections flex relative to one another. The motion at each hinged joint is resisted by hydraulic cylinders which pump fluid into high pressure accumulators allowing electrical generation to be smooth and continuous. Control of the resistance applied by the hydraulic cylinders allows generation to be maximised when waves are small, and the machine response to be minimised in storms. All generation systems are sealed and dry inside the machines and power is transmitted to shore using standard subsea cables and equipment.

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - Tidal Generation Limited - backed by Rolls Rpyce -TGL is are currently operating a 500kWe concept demonstrator unit at The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Tidal site in Orkney. This has been generating since September 2010 and provides power for up to 300 homes.

Orkney Islands Sept 2011 Wave and Tidal Power shoot - Tidal Generation Limited - backed by Rolls Rpyce -TGL is are currently operating a 500kWe concept demonstrator unit at The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Tidal site in Orkney. This has been generating since September 2010 and provides power for up to 300 homes.

Harbour / Common seals (Phoca vitulina) entering the surf. NE Scotland (RR)

Waves coming ashore at Cape Cornwall, North Cornish Coast, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Wave movement - espanola. Galapagos.

Galapagos wave formations. Galapagos.

Galapagos wave formations. Galapagos.

Waves coming ashore at Cape Cornwall, North Cornish Coast, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Waves coming ashore at Cape Cornwall, North Cornish Coast, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Waves coming ashore at Cape Cornwall, North Cornish Coast, England, United Kingdom, Europe

aerial photo of Amrum, one of the North Frisian Islands on the German coast of the North Sea in the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein

Aerial of North Sea islands, Wangerooge and Spiekeroog with the mainland in the background, Lower Saxony, Germany

aerial photo of Amrum, one of the North Frisian Islands on the German coast of the North Sea in the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein

Aerial of North Sea island, Spiekeroog and mainland in background, Lower Saxony, Germany

aerial photo of Amrum and saand dunes, one of the North Frisian Islands on the German coast of the North Sea in the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein

Waves breaking on Socoa dyke during storm "Klaus", Basque Country, France

High waves, splashing spray, lighthouse during storm, Porto, Portugal, Europe

Waves breaking on Socoa dyke during storm "Klaus", Basque Country, France

Wave in the Atlantic Ozean, Fuerteventura, Canry Island, Spain

A Gannet Colony, Muriwai Beach, New Zealand

Sunset Beach

Stormy sky and the repeating view of the cement columns under the iconic Scripps Pier in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego; La Jolla, San Diego County, California, United States of America

View taken from behind of a woman standing in the foamy surf on the beach, looking out at the turquoise water with boats moored off shore along the horizon in Cane Garden Bay at twilight, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean

Silhouette of tropical palm trees along the shore at Ulua Beach with a golden sun reflecting on the Pacific Ocean at twilight, Kihei, Wailea, Maui, Hawaii, United States of America

Father and daughter sitting in the water on the shoreline playing in the foamy surf along Kamaole Beach, Maui, Hawaii, United States of America

Ocean surf breaking on the shore along Kamaole 2 Beach at twilight with the moon high in the blue sky with a pink hue over the clouds and reflected on the water of the Pacific, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii, United States of America

Close-up of palm tree with a yacht moored off shore and the turquoise water and foamy surf rolls onto the pristine white sand beach at twilight in the small village of Worthing, Worthing, Barbados, Caribbean

Ocean waves along the shoreline of Kamaole 2 Beach at twilight with a golden sun, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii, United States of America

Scenic view of the seaside surf on a beach near the harbor on Virgin Gorda at twilight, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean

A Gannet Colony, Muriwai Beach, New Zealand

Remnants Of Mooring Posts, Humberside, England

Remnants Of Mooring Posts, Humberside, England

Rough seas, large curling waves and cloudy sky

Turbulent shorebreak waves with whitewash.

Hawaii, Oahu, North Shore; several green waves crashing in layers white wash

Hawaii, Oahu, North Shore, Wild and crashing winter waves.

Hawaii, Waves crash in the morning light.

Incoming Tide Patterns In The Sand At Bandon Beach With Seastacks In The Background, Oregon.

Hawaii, Oahu, Beautiful set of waves.

Stairway to Ocean Surf, California, United States of America

Deserted beach scene

Deserted beach scene

Deserted beach scene

Deserted beach scene