A beach is a zone above the water line at a shore of a body of water, marked by an accumulation of sand, stone, or gravel that has been deposited by the tide or waves. There are many different kinds of beaches.
Sandbar (offshore bar): A ridge of sand or coarse sediment that is built up over time by the waves. These sandbars are very narrow and are usually just out of sight when viewed from the ocean.
Barrier bar: A ridge of sand or sediment that is built up by the waves and is separated from the beach by shallow lagoons. They are mainly formed during periods of high-water level, such as storms. They are sometimes exposed and pushed by winds to the surface.
Longshore drift: A common movement of sediment down the beach caused by a combination of tides, ocean currents, wind direction, tidal movements, and oblique wave action on the beach. The sand on the beach may be carried a few meters or hundreds of kilometers away.
Beach nourishment: A process of pumping sand onto the beach to help it keep its shape and stay healthy. This can be done on major beaches in cities and on smaller ones in more remote areas.
The main reason why beaches are so popular is that people like to go to the beach because they enjoy being in the sun and swimming. It also helps them relax.
Some people like to build sandcastles, or play beach games such as volleyball or football. Other people enjoy sitting on the beach and reading a book.
Sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach, and some birds use the sand to nest. Some animals, such as crabs, dig in the sand to get their food.
Seasonal changes: The weather and the waves change the sand on the beach all the time. This makes beaches wider in the summer and narrower and steeper in the winter.
Often, these changes are due to hurricanes or other large storms. These storms can throw sand in the air and erode the beach. They can also blow sand into the water, creating sandbars.
Beaches are constantly changing, and the way that they change depends on where they are located. For example, sand on beaches in Florida is transported by ocean currents, whereas sand in New England is moved by longshore drift.
Some beaches have a beach berm, which is sand that looks like a land terrace and has a short slope toward the ocean. This type of beach is called a wild beach, and they are not disturbed by resorts or hotels.
Beaches are very important for the people who live near them, and they are a big part of our culture. However, beaches can be dangerous to humans if they are not cleaned up. They can be polluted by chemicals, garbage, and other debris that has been washed up. This is especially true in urban areas where the water is dirty from sewage and other sources of pollution.