What does the term "fetch" refer to in coastal geography?

The term "fetch" in coastal geography specifically refers to the distance over which the wind can blow across the water surface. This concept is critical in understanding wave formation and energy. As the wind travels over water, it transfers energy to the surface, creating waves. The longer the distance the wind can blow without obstruction, the larger and more powerful the waves can become. This is particularly significant for understanding coastal processes, as waves generated over longer fetches can carry more energy and thus influence coastal erosion, deposition, and the shaping of coastlines over time.

The other options relate to different aspects of coastal dynamics but do not accurately define fetch. The amount of sediment carried by waves, the height of storm waves, and the effects of wind on coastal climates focus on other coastal processes and phenomena rather than the distance aspect encompassed by the term "fetch."