A beach is a landform along the coast of a sea, lake or river consisting of loose material such as sand, gravel or crushed shells. It is a depositional landform, which means that it results from the accumulation of sediments that have been moved by waves or currents. Beaches can be found near oceans, rivers and lakes and are constantly changing, with new materials moving in and old ones being eroded away. Beaches can be long or short, wide or narrow and are often characterized by a slope that is easily walked upon.
The shape and size of a beach depends on the composition and force of the water. Waves, wind and currents continuously transport sand, pebbles, rock fragments and other material. As waves approach a shoreline they lose energy and the sediments they carry settle and build up. The size of the particles that make up a beach varies, with some beaches being made of smaller, finer materials while others are primarily made of larger pebbles or even rocks. The color of a beach depends on its mineral content, with sands containing heavy minerals such as feldspars or quartz looking lighter in color than sands with less intense mineral content.
Beaches are often home to a variety of plant and animal species that have adapted to the dynamic environment. Some, like crabs and insects, feed on the organic material deposited by waves and tides. Birds often nest on beaches and sea turtles lay their eggs on them. Beaches are also popular destinations for recreation and relaxation. Beach huts and boardwalks provide shelter from the sun and wind and restaurants, shops, hotels and amusement rides can be found on some beaches.
Beach sands can be made up of materials such as silica, gypsum, mica, phosphates and calcium carbonate from the skeletal remains of shelled marine organisms. The type of sand on a beach depends on the geological history of the area and the climate. In temperate regions, most beaches are covered in quartz sand while tropical beaches tend to have more sediments composed of calcium carbonate and the skeletons of marine organisms.
While the term “beach” is most commonly used to refer to a coastline that borders an ocean, beaches can also be found along shores of other bodies of water including lakes, rivers and some large ponds. In many cases, these are the same types of deposits and changes in elevation caused by a variety of forces that are similar to those experienced at ocean beaches. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has compiled some tips for responsible beach behavior, including several dos and don’ts. The NOAA’s tips include staying away from areas of erosion and warnings against swimming in shallow or contaminated waters. These guidelines are designed to protect the environment and ensure a positive experience for beach-goers.