A beach is an area of land that is adjacent to a body of water. Beaches are typically composed of sand or pebbles, and they often are formed by erosion and wind. In addition to sand, the shoreline may also include rocks and seashell fragments. These materials form a layered surface above and below the water’s surface. In some cases, the sand and pebbles are formed by the erosion of cliffs.
Sand is made by the pounding waves and tides, which erode rocks and smooth out rough edges. The sand on a beach is made from a variety of minerals, including quartz and feldspar. Quartz is light brown in color, while feldspar is tan. These two minerals are responsible for giving beaches their distinctive color.
Beaches differ in their natural appearance from year to year. In the winter months, storm winds oftenss sand into the air, eroding the shoreline and forming sandbars. The sandbars are then reclaimed by the waves, which build up the beach during the summer months. These seasonal changes lead to dramatic changes in the shape and location of a beach. For example, the profile of a typical beach might be different from that of a beach in the Arctic, or a beach on the Antarctic, or vice versa.
However, beach nourishment activities must be designed to place new sediments in a compacted condition before they are allowed to erode and form groynes. If concentrated material is left on the beach, it may form temporary groynes that encourage scouring behind it. In addition, fine or light sediments may be eroded before they have time to fully compact. Furthermore, unwashed sediments may introduce foreign flora and fauna to a beach.
Some beaches are also affected by large cyclonic storms. These squalls are particularly dangerous for low-lying sand islands, as the ocean waves and storm surges can erode the shoreline. Large cyclonic storms can also affect beaches in coastal regions of moderate to low latitude.
Another important role for beaches is to filter runoff from the coastal plain. Water borne silt and organic matter will be deposited on the beach, and this material will feed coastal flora and fauna. These sediments are also more resistant to erosion if they are compacted. By contrast, sediment that is in suspension will not be able to settle after a wave crest, making it more susceptible to erosion from longshore currents.
Polluted beaches pose a health risk to swimmers. In 2013, about 10% of water samples collected from 3,500 beaches failed to meet the EPA’s strictest standard for swimmer safety. These contaminants can cause a variety of problems, including diarrhea, upset stomach, pinkeye, earaches, and meningitis.
The beach has played an important role in the history of human civilization. In the nineteenth century, it was the centre for upper-class frivolity and pleasure. This trend was elevated as the new romantic ideal of the picturesque landscape was popularized. Many people became beachgoers during this time period, and the seaside became fashionable.