Understanding Beach Nourishment
A beach is usually a sandy landform near an ocean, water, or lake bordering on land. People also use beaches as recreational areas. They rest, lounge, or swim in the sunshine. It may also be used by boaters for resting and storing boats. Some beach resorts even offer facilities like restaurants and bars. There are many beaches in a given country, and they vary in terms of their shape, size, and attraction.
Some famous beaches include: Kona, Hawaii (one of the largest beaches in the United States, and the largest in the world), Maui (a popular destination for surfers and sunbathers), and Sanibel (a quiet, palm-fringed community in Florida. The small town of Seacross, Texas, was chosen because of its shallow, clear waters and pleasant, white sands). Each of these beaches is unique in terms of size, shape, and environment.
A beach at sea level has different characteristics from that of a beach at ground level. A beach at sea level experiences wave motion, with the height of the waves varying with location, time of day, and wind. In addition, it experiences weather changes faster than those on land. For instance, when the tide goes out, wave activity increases, which brings surf and other weather conditions.
Coastal shingle beaches experience different wave heights and temperatures throughout the year. While waves are normally more frequent on flat beach areas, especially during summer months when winds tend to blow the warm surface water away from these areas, some areas have more gradual climate changes. These include rain, which can melt the snow in winter and can wash away the salt in spring and summer. The lack of constant temperature swings affects the abundance of birds and other wildlife found in the area as well, since certain times of the year are better times for the animals to be found.
Coastal sand bars offer a different type of beach experience. These are flat areas near the shoreline, where low tide makes it easier for surfers to travel across the sand. As the tide goes out, wave activity increases as well, giving swimmers a much more exhilarating experience. Sand bars are also great places for activities like snorkeling, diving, and swimming.
Coastal erosion occurs when the steep cliffs and rock faces of the shoreline shift and sometimes erode away into the sea. This erosion can take place because the beach is changing rapidly, due to tidal fluctuations or storm surges. Coastal erosion can be caused by too much building on the beach, increased traffic, and the breaking of underwater cliffs and walls. Severe erosion can sometimes occur without any signs of human activity, such as when sand beaches abruptly change shape and disappear completely.