Beach

A beach or strand is a geological formation consisting of loose rock particles such as sand, shingle, cobble, or even shell along the shoreline of a body of water.

How beaches are formed

Beaches are deposition landforms, and are the result of wave action by which waves or currents move sand or other loose sediments of which the beach is made as these particles are held in suspension. Alternatively, sand may be moved by saltation (a bouncing movement of large particles). Beach materials come from erosion of rocks offshore, as well as from headland erosion and slumping producing deposits of scree. A coral reef offshore is a significant source of sand particles.

Related Topics:
Deposition - Landform - Wave - Currents - Sediment - Suspension - Erosion - Slumping - Scree - Coral reef

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The shape of a beach depends on whether the waves are constructive or destructive, and whether the material is sand or shingle. Constructive waves move material up the beach while destructive waves move the material down the beach. On sandy beaches, the backwash of the waves removes material forming a gently sloping beach. On shingle beaches the swash is dissipated because the large particle size allows percolation, so the backwash is not very powerful, and the beach remains steep.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cusps and horns form where incoming waves divide, depositing sand as horns and scouring out sand to form cusps. This forms the uneven edge of a sandy beach.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Some beaches are artificial; they are either permanent or temporary (For examples see Monaco, Paris, Rotterdam, Hong Kong and Singapore).

Related Topics:
Monaco - Paris - Rotterdam - Hong Kong - Singapore

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There are several beaches which are claimed to be the "World's longest", including Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh (120kms), Fraser Island beach, 90 Mile Beach in Australia and 90 Mile Beach in New Zealand and Long Beach, Washington (which is about 30km). Wasaga Beach, Ontario on Georgian Bay claims to have the world's longest freshwater beach. The Marina Beach at Chennai, India, is the second longest beach in the world.

Related Topics:
Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh - Fraser Island - 90 Mile Beach - 90 Mile Beach - Long Beach, Washington - Wasaga Beach, Ontario - Georgian Bay - Marina Beach - Chennai - India

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~