The dynamics of a beach depend on the wind. Large cyclonic storms often cause waves to become higher than the shore and affect beaches, especially those at moderate and low latitudes. The waves that accompanied the storms are often high enough to cause large berms and disrupt the beach. In addition, these storms can redistribute sediments and bury nearby vegetation and woods. In some regions, wind-driven dunes can even destroy buildings.
There are different types of beaches, and their unique characteristics should be explored. They come in different shapes and sizes. Some are wide and flat, others are steep and gentle, and some are completely shell-free. Visiting a beach over time will reveal changes in its width, and you may find that the width has shrunk dramatically. This may be due to the influence of a force that you cannot see. Depending on where you’re visiting, you may even find stumps, outcrops of mud layers, or rocks.
The composition of a beach depends on the type of sediments found upstream of the beach. These sediments are eroded by water and wind and are made up of sand, gravel, and rocks. Their particle size and state of compaction will determine how easily a beach will be eroded. Compacted sediments are more resistant to erosion than those that are loose. Besides sand, sediments may be rock fragments and seashell fragments. The composition of a beach can be made up of any of these materials.
A beach is a landform that forms along the edge of a body of water. The beach is composed of different rock types, which change as a result of waves. The sea waves change the sediments in a beach and cause it to recede. Eventually, the beach becomes a popular recreation area. The definition of a beach is vast, and it’s difficult to define its limits. These types of beaches are essentially never stable and change over time.
The health effects of the beach’s pollution cannot be stressed enough. As many as 10 percent of water samples collected in 2013 did not meet the EPA’s standards for swimmer safety, the EPA estimates that up to 3.5 million people get sick from sewage while swimming. In addition to being uncomfortable, swimmers can suffer respiratory problems, neurological disorders, pinkeye, earaches, and even meningitis. However, most of these ailments can be avoided by simply staying away from polluted beaches.
The nature of a beach’s sand is another consideration. Some beaches are predominantly dominated by tides, while others are dominated by waves. High-tide beaches are often white, but there are also many types of brown and red beaches. A beach’s color is influenced by the weather and geology of the area. Some beaches are more likely to be sandy than others, and some beaches have more sand than others.
The bedforms of a beach are infinitely variable, changing with the tides. Each tidal cycle reveals a new feature of the beach. The human-made subdivisions of a beach, such as a cove, are shown in Figure 2.1. The most common types of beaches, though, are the ones that are most affected by tides. And they can change at a rapid pace, as they are constantly exposed to new conditions.