A beach is a long strip of loose sediment, mainly sand but sometimes gravel, shingle or pebbles, which covers the shoreline on the landward side of an ocean, sea, lake or river. The sediments can be biological in origin, such as mollusc shells or bits of coral, or they may be mineral, such as quartz. A beach is also often dissected by tidal inlets and lagoons. The configuration and shape of a beach depend on coastal processes, the types of sediment involved, and the rate at which the sediment is delivered to the coast.
A sandy beach is a type of beach which has been made by waves and currents agitating the sediment. The sand is usually finely divided and can contain large fragments of other materials, including organic material such as mollusc shells or plant remains.
The size of the particles in the sediment determines the slope of a beach, as does the amount of energy in the waves that agitate it. Beaches with low wave energy have a flat beach surface, while beaches with high wave activity tend to have coarser sediment and steeper slopes. The shape of a beach may change seasonally as the amount of wave energy changes.
Beaches are used for a variety of recreational activities, and many have lifeguards to help people swim safely. People often walk or jog on beaches, and many go boating, fishing or diving in the water. In addition, some people enjoy playing games on or in the sand, such as volleyball or frisbee. Some people even live on beaches, either in houses built into the sand or in beachfront homes.
In the 19th century, commercial sea bathing spread to the United States and other countries, and beaches became popular tourist destinations. A large resort was established at Brighton in England, and Queen Victoria’s patronage helped to extend the popularity of the beach as a place for upper-class pleasure and recreation. This trend was captured in Jane Austen’s novel Sanditon.
Beaches are also important habitats for animals and plants. Crabs, birds and insects gather on beaches to feed, and plants such as sea grasses grow in the sand. Beaches are also home to many species of marine life, including turtles. In some places, humans have been known to pollute beaches with waste, such as garbage, sewage and chemicals from industry or illegal dumping. The beach can be a very delicate ecosystem and needs to be treated with care. Beach pollution can harm the environment and endanger human health. During storms, trash and other debris can wash up on the beaches, and some areas are closed when this occurs. Keeping beaches clean is vital to the survival of many of the species which inhabit them. Beach cleanup and conservation efforts have begun in some areas, but more work is needed to protect and restore them.